Residual Hypertriglyceridemia and Estimated Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk by Statin Use in U.S. Adults With Diabetes: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2014

OBJECTIVE

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is common in patients with diabetes, and statins remain the first-line therapy. However, the proportion of patients with diabetes having elevated triglycerides (TGs) on statin treatment and their atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk has not been described. We quantified the prevalence of HTG in U.S. adults with diabetes currently treated versus not treated with statins and the estimated 10-year ASCVD risk.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Among 1,448 U.S. adults aged 20 years and over with diabetes (projected to 24.4 million) in the 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we compared the prevalence of borderline HTG (TG 150-199 mg/dL) and HTG (TG ≥200 mg/dL) by statin use and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, and we used logistic regression to identify risk factors for HTG. We also estimated the 10-year ASCVD risk in those without prior ASCVD.

RESULTS

The prevalence of borderline HTG and HTG was 20.0% and 19.5%, respectively, in statin users and 20.1% and 25.3%, respectively, in nonstatin users (P < 0.0001). Even among statin users with LDL-C <70 mg/dL, borderline HTG prevalence was 16.8% and HTG prevalence was 16.7%. Approximately 77.5% of those with HTG had an estimated 10-year ASCVD risk of ≥7.5%, with almost 40% of statin users having ASCVD risk ≥20%.

CONCLUSIONS

Residual HTG occurs in over one-fifth (∼5.5 million) of U.S. adults with diabetes, including those on statin therapy and with well-controlled LDL-C. Over three-quarters of adults with diabetes with HTG are at moderate or high 10-year risk for ASCVD. Greater efforts are needed to promote lifestyle and pharmacologic means to address residual HTG.

Associations between very low concentrations of low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and health outcomes in the Reasons for Geographical and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study

Aims

Recent findings have demonstrated the important contribution of inflammation to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with optimally managed low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). We explored relationships between LDL-C, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and clinical outcomes in a free-living US population.

Methods and results

We used data from the REasons for Geographical And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS), and selected individuals at 'high risk' for coronary events with a Framingham Coronary Risk Score of ≥10% or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk ≥7.5% in order to explore relationships between low LDL-C [<70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L) in comparison to ≥70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L)]; hs-CRP <2 compared with ≥2 mg/L and clinical outcomes [all-cause mortality, incident coronary heart disease (CHD), and incident stroke]. To assess the association between the LDL-C and hs-CRP categories and each outcome, a series of incremental Cox proportional hazards models were employed on complete cases. To account for missing observations, the most adjusted model was used to interrogate the data using multiple imputation with chained equations (MICE). In this analysis, 6136 REGARDS high-risk participants were included. In the MICE analysis, participants with high LDL-C (≥70 mg/dL) and low hs-CRP (<2 mg/L) had a lower risk of incident stroke [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69, 0.47-0.997], incident CHD (HR 0.71, 0.53-0.95), and CHD death (HR 0.70, 0.50-0.99) than those in the same LDL-C category high hs-CRP (≥2 mg/L). In participants with high hs-CRP (≥2 mg/dL), low LDL-C [<70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L)] was not associated with additional risk reduction of any investigated outcome, but with the significant increase of all-cause mortality (HR 1.37, 1.07-1.74).

Conclusions

In this high-risk population, we found that low hs-CRP (<2 mg/L) appeared to be associated with reduced risk of incident stroke, incident CHD, and CHD death, whereas low LDL-C (<70 mg/dL) was not associated with protective effects. Thus, our results support other data with respect to the importance of inflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of CVD.

Efficacy and Safety of Mipomersen: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

AIM

Our aim was to assess the efficacy and safety of mipomersen through a systematic review of the literature and a meta-analysis of the available clinical studies.

METHODS

A systematic literature search in SCOPUS, PubMed Medline, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to January 20, 2019, in order to identify clinical trials assessing the effect of mipomersen on lipoproteins, and the safety profile of mipomersen. Effect sizes for lipid changes were expressed as weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). For safety analysis, odd ratios (OR) and 95% CI were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Data were pooled from 13 clinical studies comprising 49 arms, which included 1053 subjects overall, with 729 in the active-treated arm and 324 in the control arm.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis of data suggested that mipomersen significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD - 1.52, 95% CI - 1.85 to - 1.19; p < 0.001), total cholesterol (WMD - 1.55, 95% CI - 1.97 to - 1.13; p < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (WMD - 1.66, 95% CI - 2.06 to - 1.27; p < 0.001), lipoprotein(a) (WMD - 0.99, 95% CI - 1.37 to - 0.62; p < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (WMD - 1.66, 95% CI - 2.04 to - 1.27; p < 0.001), triglycerides (WMD -0.61, 95% CI - 0.76 to - 0.46, p < 0.001), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD - 0.58, 95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.43; p < 0.001) and apolipoprotein A-I (WMD - 0.25, 95% CI - 0.51 to - 0.001; p = 0.049) without affecting HDL-C levels (WMD 0.11, 95% CI - 0.03 to 0.26; p = 0.124). However, treatment with mipomersen was positively associated with an increased risk of discontinuation of treatment (OR 3.02, 95% CI 1.96-4.65; p < 0.001), injection-site reaction (OR 11.41, 95% CI 7.88-16.52; p < 0.001), hepatic steatosis (OR 4.96, 95% CI 1.99-12.39; p = 0.001), hepatic enzymes elevation (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.09-6.24; p < 0.001) and flu-like symptoms (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.45-2.81; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Despite favourable effects on the lipid profile, some concerns are reinforced from the safety profile. As a matter of fact, mipomersen therapy is more likely discontinued and associated with increased risk of injection-site reactions, hepatic steatosis, hepatic enzyme elevation, and flu-like symptoms.

Effect of selective BET protein inhibitor apabetalone on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome and diabetes: Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of the BETonMACE trial

After an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), patients with diabetes remain at high risk for additional cardiovascular events despite use of current therapies. Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are epigenetic modulators of inflammation, thrombogenesis, and lipoprotein metabolism implicated in atherothrombosis. The BETonMACE trial tests the hypothesis that treatment with apabetalone, a selective BET protein inhibitor, will improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes after an ACS. DESIGN: Patients (n = 2425) with ACS in the preceding 7 to 90 days, with type 2 diabetes and low HDL cholesterol (≤40 mg/dl for men, ≤45 mg/dl for women), receiving intensive or maximum-tolerated therapy with atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, were assigned in double-blind fashion to receive apabetalone 100 mg orally twice daily or matching placebo. Baseline characteristics include female sex (25%), myocardial infarction as index ACS event (74%), coronary revascularization for index ACS (80%), treatment with dual anti-platelet therapy (87%) and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (91%), median LDL cholesterol 65 mg per deciliter, and median HbA1c 7.3%. The primary efficacy measure is time to first occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or stroke. Assumptions include a primary event rate of 7% per annum in the placebo group and median follow-up of 1.5 years. Patients will be followed until at least 250 primary endpoint events have occurred, providing 80% power to detect a 30% reduction in the primary endpoint with apabetalone. SUMMARY: BETonMACE will determine whether the addition of the selective BET protein inhibitor apabetalone to contemporary standard of care for ACS reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results are expected in 2019.

Comparing remnant lipoprotein cholesterol measurement methods to evaluate efficacy of ezetimibe/statin vs statin therapy

BACKGROUND

Elevated remnant lipoprotein cholesterol (RLP-C) levels increase cardiovascular disease risk. However, RLP-C measurement methods are not standardized, leading to variations across studies.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of ezetimibe (Eze) + statins vs statin monotherapy on RLP-C using immunoseparation (IM), vertical auto profile (VAP) ultracentrifugation, and calculated RLP-C measurement methods.

METHODS

This post hoc analysis evaluated data pooled from 3 first-line (all-statin [simvastatin 10/20/40/80 mg] vs Eze + statin [Eze 10 mg + simvastatin]) and 2 second-line (statin [atorvastatin uptitrated to 40/80 mg] vs statin + Eze [atorvastatin 20/40 mg + Eze 10 mg]) studies. Similarity of RLP-C methods was evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots. RLP-C changes and percent changes from baseline were measured by all 3 methods in first-line and VAP and calculated methods in second-line studies.

RESULTS

Correlations between methods were generally moderate to strong for RLP-C levels, changes, and percent changes across treatment groups (r = 0.29-0.79) but with little evidence of agreement by Bland-Altman plots. Baseline RLP-C levels for Eze + statin vs all-statin groups were lower by IM (14.0 vs 14.0) compared with VAP (36.9 vs 35.9) and calculated (32.8 vs 33.3) methods. RLP-C changes (mg/dL) and percent changes from baseline were significantly greater (P < .01) with Eze + statins vs statins by VAP, calculated, and IM methods (between-treatment differences: -5.0 and -12.0, -2.0 and -5.4, and -1.5 and -12.1, respectively) in first-line, and VAP and calculated methods (between-treatment differences: -5.0 and -19.9 and -2.0 and -7.3) in second-line studies.

CONCLUSION

Although the 3 methods showed little agreement, each supported Eze + statins for achieving greater RLP-C reductions vs statin monotherapy; variability of results reinforces urgent need to standardize RLP-C measurements.

Relation Between Cardiology Follow-Up Visits, Evidence-Based Statin Prescribing, and Statin Adherence (from the Veterans Affairs Health Care System)

Statin use remains suboptimal in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). We assessed whether outpatient care with a cardiology provider is associated with evidence-based statin prescription and statin adherence. We identified patients with ASCVD aged ≥18 years receiving primary care in 130 facilities and associated community-based outpatient clinics in the entire Veterans Affairs Health Care System between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014. Patients were divided into: (1) patients with at least 1 outpatient cardiology visit and (2) patients with no outpatient cardiology visits in the year before the index primary care visit. We assessed any- and high-intensity statin prescription adjusting for several patient- and facility-level covariates, and statin adherence using proportion of days covered (PDC). We included 1,249,061 patients with ASCVD (mean age: 71.9 years; 98.0% male). After adjusting for covariates, patients who visited a cardiology provider had greater odds of being on a statin (87.4% vs 78.4%; Odds ratio [OR] 1.25, 95% Confidence interval [CI] 1.24 to 1.26), high-intensity statin (34.5% vs 21.2%; OR: 1.21, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.22), and higher statin adherence (mean PDC 0.76 ± 0.29 vs 0.70 ± 0.34, PDC ≥0.8: 62.0% vs 57.3%; OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.11). A dose response relation was seen with a higher number of cardiology visits associated with a higher statin use and statin adherence. In conclusion, compared with outpatient care delivered by primary care providers alone, care delivered by a cardiology provider for patients with ASCVD is associated with a higher likelihood of guideline-based statin use and statin adherence.

1443Safety of red yeast rice supplementation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Recently, concerns regarding the safety of red yeast rice (RYR) have been raised after the publication of some case reports claiming toxicity.

Purpose

Since the previous meta-analyses on the effects of RYR were mainly focused on its efficacy to improve the lipid profile and other cardiovascular parameters, we carried out a meta-analysis on safety data derived from the available randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).

Methods

Primary outcomes were musculoskeletal disorders (MuD). Secondary outcomes were non-musculoskeletal adverse events (Non-MuD) and serious adverse events (SAE). Subgroups analyses were carried out considering the intervention (RYR alone or in association with other nutraceutical compounds), monacolin K administered daily dose (≤3, <3–5 and >5 mg/day), follow-up (>12 or ≤12 weeks), with statin therapy or statin-intolerance and type of control treatment (placebo or statin treatment).

Results

Data were pooled from 52 RCTs comprising 110 treatment arms, which included 8503 subjects, with 4421 in the RYR arm and 4287 in the control one. Monacolin K administration was not associated with increased risk of MuD (odds ratio [OR]=0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53,1.65). (Figure below presents the forest plot comparing the RYR associated risk of MuD in the entire population). Moreover, we found a reduced risk of Non-MuD (OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.50, 0.69) and SAE (OR=0.54, 95% CI 0.46, 0.64) vs. control. Subgroups analyses confirmed the high tolerability profile of RYR. Furthermore, increasing daily doses of monacolin K were negatively associated with increasing risk of Non-MuD (slope: −0.10; 95% CI: −0.17, −0.03; two-tailed p<0.01).

Forest plot on RYR link with MuD risk.

Conclusions

Based on our data, RYR use as lipid-lowering dietary supplement seems to be overall tolerable and safe in a large population of moderately hypercholesterolaemic subjects.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

P5326Effect of evolocumab on lipoprotein(a) levels: results across 15 studies

Background/Introduction

Elevated levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) have been associated with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Elevated Lp(a) is relatively refractory to lifestyle change and pharmacologic intervention.

Purpose

To examine the effect of evolocumab on Lp(a) in a range of clinical trial populations, including hypercholesterolaemia/mixed dyslipidaemia, statin-intolerance, diabetes mellitus, and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) at different timepoints up to 5 years.

Methods

Fifteen phase 2 and phase 3 double-blind and open-label extension studies, with a minimum 12 weeks duration that used approved doses of evolocumab (140 mg every 2 weeks [Q2W] or 420 mg once monthly [QM]) were included in this analysis. Studies were pooled on the basis of patient population, duration, and comparator groups (of which the MENDEL-1, -2, GAUSS-1, -2, and LAPLACE-2 atorvastatin cohort studies employed ezetimibe comparators). The effect of evolocumab on percent change from baseline in Lp(a) was examined.

Results

In short-term studies, evolocumab led to a median percent change in Lp(a) from baseline to week 12 of −21.2% to −33.3% overall (Table). Results were similar for both evolocumab doses with median percent change ranging from −22.0% to −38.2% for 140 mg Q2W and −20.0% to −33.3% for 420 mg QM. In long-term studies (1 to 5 years), percent change in Lp(a) ranged from −23.8% to −33.3%.

Patient populations Percent change from baseline in Lp(a), median (Q1, Q3), % Ezetimibe comparator trials Placebo comparator trials Evolocumab Ezetimibe Evolocumab Placebo 12-week studies   Hypercholesterolaemia/mixed dyslipidaemia (YUKAWA-1, -2, LAPLACE-TIMI-57, LAPLACE-2, MENDEL-1, -2) −22.0 (−39.4, 0.0), n=760 0.0 (−11.8, 14.6), n=387 −26.3 (−44.7, −5.0), n=1838 0.0 (−10.4, 15.4), n=1179   Statin intolerance (GAUSS-1, -2) −23.1 (−42.0, −3.3), n=223 0.0 (−16.7, 3.6), n=126 – –   HeFH (RUTHERFORD-1, -2) – – −21.2 (−38.1, −7.0), n=263 0.0 (−4.2, 15.3), n=150   Type 2 diabetes (BANTING, BERSON) – – −33.3 (−55.6, −16.7), n=833 0.0 (−16.2, 16.7), n=425 Long-term studies   1-Year (DESCARTES) – – −28.4 (−49.2, −6.0), n=535 −5.5 (−20.5, 0.9), n=272   2-Year (OSLER-2)†‡ −23.8 (−44.4, 0.0), n=3077 – – –   5-Year (OSLER-1)† −33.3 (−51.3, −11.1), n=941 – – – †All patients received evolocumab in the OSLER studies. ‡OSLER-2 was a 3-year study; however, only 2-year data were available for Lp(a).

Conclusion

Evolocumab reduces Lp(a) in a variety of patient populations at 12 weeks with sustained lowering over 5 years.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Amgen Inc.

45Association of types of dietary fats and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a prospective cohort study and meta-analysis of prospective studies with 1,148,117 participants

Background

The associations between dietary fats with mortality are poorly delineated.

Purpose

Using a large prospective cohort we evaluated the link between total fat, mono-unsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) consumption and all-cause, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and diabetes (T2D)-associated mortality in a representative sample of US adults. We then added our results to a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We evaluated 35,080 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988–1999 (19.2 years follow-up) and 1999–2010 (12 years follow-up), with vital status available through December 31, 2011. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the association between baseline quartiles of fat consumption (g/day, 24h recall) and all-cause or cause-specific mortality. For the systematic review, selected databases were searched up to November 2018 and 29 prospective cohorts (n=1,148,117) met inclusion criteria. The DerSimonian-Laird method and generic inverse variance methods were used for random effects meta-analyses.

Results

In fully adjusted models from our prospective study, there was a negative association between total fat (hazard ratio [HR]:0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82, 0.99, Q4 vs. Q1) and PUFA (0.81,95% CI: 0.78–0.84) consumption and all-cause mortality (Figure), whereas SFA were positively associated with mortality (1.08, 95% CI: 1.04–1.11). In the meta-analysis we found a significant negative association between total fat (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82–0.97, I2:27%), MUFA (0.93, 95% CI: 0.87–0.99, I2:56%) and PUFA (0.86, 95% CI: 0.80–0.93, I2:63%) consumption and all-cause mortality. No significant association was observed between total fat and both CVD and CHD mortality (0.92, 95% CI: 0.79–1.08, I2:46%, and 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99–1.09, I2:42%, respectively), while a positive association between SFA intake and CHD mortality (1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.20, I2:52.6%) was observed. Neither MUFA nor PUFA were associated with CVD and CHD mortality. Inverse associations were observed between MUFA (0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.96, I2:0%) and PUFA (0.84, 95% CI: 0.80–0.90, I2:0%) intakes and stroke mortality.

All-cause death and total fat intake.

Conclusions

Our results highlight differential associations of total fat, MUFA and PUFA intake with all-cause mortality, but no association of them with CVD and CHD mortalities. SFA intake was significantly associated with higher all-cause mortality inNHANES and with CHD mortality in our meta-analysis. The type of fat intake appears to be associated with important health outcomes.

Acknowledgement/Funding

None

Long-term statin persistence is poor among high-risk patients with dyslipidemia: a real-world administrative claims analysis

Background

A decade ago, statin persistence was < 50% after 1 year, and recent short-term analyses have revealed very little progress in improving statin persistence, even in patients with a prior cardiovascular (CV) event. Data on longer-term statin persistence are lacking. We measured long-term statin persistence in patients with high CV risk.

Methods

This retrospective administrative claims analysis of the Optum Research Database included patients aged ≥ 45 years with diabetes and/or atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD) who had a statin prescription filled in 2010. It included an elevated triglycerides (TG) cohort of patients with index date in 2010 and TG ≥ 150 mg/dL (n = 23,181) and a propensity-matched comparator cohort with TG < 150 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol > 40 mg/dL (n = 23,181). Both cohorts were followed for ≥ 6 months up to March 2016.

Results

The probability of remaining on a prescription fill for index statin therapy was 47% after 1 year and 19% after 5 years in both cohorts. Statin persistence was worse among women than men, and among younger versus older patients (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). After 5 years, the probability of remaining on a prescription fill for index statin was < 25% across all subgroups assessed including patients with and without baseline revascularization, heart failure, peripheral artery disease and renal disease. Similar results were observed in a subcohort analysis of patients with TG 200–499 mg/dL.

Conclusions

Long-term statin persistence after 5 years is alarmingly low (< 25%) and is a public health concern.

Characterization of lipoprotein profiles in patients with hypertriglyceridemic Fredrickson-Levy and Lees dyslipidemia phenotypes: the Very Large Database of Lipids Studies 6 and 7

INTRODUCTION

The association between triglycerides (TG) and cardiovascular diseases is complex. The classification of hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) phenotypes proposed by Fredrickson, Levy and Lees (FLL) helps inform treatment strategies. We aimed to describe levels of several lipoprotein variables from individuals with HTG FLL phenotypes from the Very Large Database of Lipids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included fasting samples from 979,539 individuals from a contemporary large study population of US adults. Lipids were directly measured by density-gradient ultracentrifugation using the Vertical Auto Profile test while TG levels were measured in whole plasma using the Abbott ARCHITECT C-8000 system. Hyperchylomicronemic (Hyper-CM) and non-chylomicronemic (non-CM) phenotypes were defined using computationally derived models. Individuals with FLL type IIa phenotype were excluded. Distributions of lipid variables were compared using medians and Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

A total of 11.9% (n = 116,925) of individuals met criteria for HTG FLL phenotypes. Those with hyper-CM phenotypes (n = 5, < 0.1% of population) had two-fold higher TG levels compared with non-chylomicronemic (non-CM) individuals (11.9% of population) (p < 0.001). Type IIb individuals had the highest non-HDL-C levels (median 242 mg/dl). Cholesterol in large VLDL₁₊₂ particles was higher than in small VLDL₃ particles in all phenotypes except FLL type III. Hyper-CM phenotypes had significantly lower HDL-C levels but greater HDL₂/HDL₃-C ratio compared to non-CM phenotypes. Cholesterol content of the lipoprotein (a) peak was significantly higher in the hyper-CM groups compared to non-CM phenotypes (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This observational hypothesis-generating study provides insight into the complexity of lipid metabolism in HTG phenotypes, including less traditional lipid measures such as LDL density, HDL subclasses and Lp(a)-C.

Association of Elevated Triglycerides With Increased Cardiovascular Risk and Direct Costs in Statin-Treated Patients

OBJECTIVE

To retrospectively investigate the real-world impact of elevated triglyceride (TG) levels on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, medical resource utilization, and medical costs using observational administrative claims data from the Optum Research Database.

METHODS

Patients with one or more claims for statin therapy between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, and 6 months or more of baseline data prior to the index date were eligible for inclusion in the study. Patients aged 45 years or older with diabetes and/or atherosclerotic CV disease were included and analyzed in an elevated TG cohort (≥150 mg/dL) vs a comparator cohort with TG levels less than 150 mg/dL and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels greater than 40 mg/dL.

RESULTS

In the elevated TG vs propensity-matched comparator cohorts (both N=23,181 patients), the mean age was 62.2 vs 62.6 years, mean follow-up was 41.4 vs 42.5 months, 49.7% (11,518) vs 49.5% (11,467) were female, 83.7% (19,392) vs 84.0% (19,478) had diabetes, and 29.8% (6915) vs 29.3% (6800) had atherosclerotic CV disease. In the elevated TG (N=27,471 patients) vs comparator (N=32,506 patients) cohorts, multivariate analysis revealed significantly greater risk of composite major CV events (hazard ratio [HR], 1.26; 95% CI, 1.19-1.34; P<.001), nonfatal myocardial infarction (HR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.20-1.45; P<.001), nonfatal stroke (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.24; P=.004), and need for coronary revascularization (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.33-1.61; P<.001) but not unstable angina (P=.53) or CV death (P=.23). Increased CV risk was maintained with the addition of non-HDL-C to the multivariate model and with high and low HDL-C subgroup analysis. Total direct health care costs (cost ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.08-1.16; P<.001) and inpatient hospital stays (HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.10-1.17; P<.001) were significantly higher in the elevated TG cohort vs the comparator cohort.

CONCLUSION

Statin-treated patients with TG levels of 150 mg/dL or greater had worse CV and health economic outcomes than those with well-managed TG (<150 mg/dL) and HDL-C (>40 mg/dL) levels.

Therapeutic effects of statins on chromosomal DNA damage of dyslipidemic patients

Statins are a group of cholesterol lowering drugs and frequently used in the therapy of dyslipidemia. Our knowledge of the impact of statin therapy on DNA damage is as yet rudimentary. In this study, we aimed to assess the possible (1) genotoxic, cytostatic, and cytotoxic effects of statins in peripheral blood lymphocytes by using the cytokinesis-block micronucleus cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay, and (2) oxidative DNA damage by measuring plasma 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in response to statin therapy. Thirty patients with dyslipidemia who had no chronic diseases and did not use any medicines that interfere lipid values and twenty control subjects were included in the study. Statin therapy was initiated at risk-stratified doses. Blood samples were taken before and after treatment with statins and from control subjects, and CBMN-cyt assay parameters and 8-OHdG levels were evaluated. The chromosomal DNA damage (micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges [NPBs]), cytostasis (nuclear division index [NDI]), and cytotoxicity (apoptotic and necrotic cell frequencies) were decreased in patients with dyslipidemia after statin treatment. No significant differences were found for 8-OHdG levels between patients with dyslipidemia before or after statin therapy. The total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels showed positive correlations with NPB frequency in patients with dyslipidemia prior to statin treatment. The present study is the first to evaluate CBMN-cyt assay biomarkers and 8-OHdG levels in patients with dyslipidemia before and after treatment with statins. The observed reductions of chromosomal DNA damage and NDI values with statin treatment could represent an important and under-appreciated pleiotropic effect of these agents.

Impact statement

In literature, it is possible to find some in vitro cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay studies about human lymphocytes and statins. But, there are no data on CBMN-cytome (CBMN-cyt) assay parameters related to statin therapy in patients with dyslipidemia. The present study is the first to evaluate CBMN-cyt assay biomarkers and 8-OHdG levels in patients with dyslipidemia before treatment and after treatment with statins (5–10 mg/day rosuvastatin or 10–20 mg/day atorvastatin). In this study we show that statin therapy decreased chromosomal DNA damage (micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges) and nuclear division index (NDI) values in patients with dyslipidemia by possible molecular reasons independent of oxidative DNA damage. In addition, the decrease of chromosomal DNA damage and NDI values with statin treatment could be indicated by the association between statin use and reduced risk of cancer.

Impact of improved low-density lipoprotein cholesterol assessment on guideline classification in the modern treatment era-Results from a racially diverse Brazilian cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Martin/Hopkins low-density lipoprotein cholesterol equation (LDL-C_N) was previously demonstrated as more accurate than Friedewald LDL-C estimation (LDL-C_F) in a North American database not able to take race into account.

OBJECTIVES

We hypothesized that LDL-C_N would be more accurate than LDL-C_F and correlate better with LDL particle number (LDL-P) in a racially diverse Brazilian cohort.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 4897 participants in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health, assessing LDL-C_F and LDL-C_N accuracy via overlap with ultracentrifugation-based measurement among clinical guideline LDL-C categories as well as mg/dL and percent error differences. We analyzed by triglyceride categories and correlated LDL-C estimation with LDL-P.

RESULTS

LDL-C_N demonstrated improved accuracy at 70 to <100 and <70 mg/dL (P < .001), with large errors ≥20 mg/dL about 9 times more frequent in LDL-C_F at LDL-C <70 mg/dL, mainly due to underestimation. Among individuals with LDL-C <70 mg/dL and triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL, 65% vs 100% of ultracentrifugation-based low-density lipoprotein cholesterol calculation fell within appropriate categories of estimated LDL-C_F and LDL-C_N, respectively (P < .001). Similar results were observed when analyzed for age, sex, and race. Participants at LDL-C <70 and 70 to <100 mg/dL with discordantly elevated LDL-C_N vs LDL-C_F had a 58.5% and 41.5% higher LDL-P than those with concordance (P < .0001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In a diverse Brazilian cohort, LDL-C_N was more accurate than LDL-C_F at low LDL-C and high triglycerides. LDL-C_N may avoid underestimation of LDL-C and better reflect atherogenic lipid burden in low particle size, high particle count states.

Hypertriglyceridemia is associated with an increased risk of peripheral arterial revascularization in high-risk statin-treated patients: A large administrative retrospective analysis

Background

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common, and although it is associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity, mortality, reduced quality of life, and increased health care burden, PAD data are relatively scarce. Elevated triglycerides (TG) are associated with and are a risk factor for PAD.

Hypothesis

Large administrative retrospective data may provide further insight into the relationship between hypertriglyceridemia and peripheral arterial revascularization in high‐risk statin‐treated patients.

Methods

This retrospective administrative claims analysis of the Optum Research Database included statin‐treated patients aged ≥45 years with diabetes and/or atherosclerotic CV disease enrolled in 2010 and followed for ≥6 months. Patients with TG ≥150 mg/dL were propensity score‐matched to a comparator cohort with TG <150 mg/dL and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol >40 mg/dL (n = 23 181 in each cohort). A sub‐analysis was conducted in patients with TG 200‐499 mg/dL and a matched comparator cohort (n = 10 990). Clustered P‐values were calculated using a Cox proportional hazard model with cohort as the independent variable (α, 0.05).

Results

Multivariate analysis showed a 37% higher rate of peripheral arterial revascularization in the elevated‐TG cohort vs the comparator cohort (hazard ratio [HR] 1.370, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.263‐1.486; P < .001). Results in the high‐TG sub‐cohort were similar, with a 49% higher rate of revascularization vs the comparator cohort (HR 1.489; 95% CI, 1.348‐1.644; P < .001).

Conclusions

This large administrative retrospective analysis of high‐risk statin‐treated patients showed that elevated TG (≥150 mg/dL) and high TG (200‐499 mg/dL) were significant predictors of peripheral arterial revascularization; this warrants further study.

The economic burden of hypertriglyceridemia among US adults with diabetes or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease on statin therapy

BACKGROUND

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. However, the cost burden of HTG-related CVD in high-risk US adults on statins has not been well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the HTG-related health care cost burden among US adults with CVD or diabetes taking statin therapy.

METHODS

We estimated population sizes and annual health care costs among US adults aged ≥45 years with diabetes or CVD taking statin therapy with normal triglycerides (TGs) defined as TG < 150 mg/dL compared with those with HTG defined as TG ≥ 150 mg/dL. Population sizes were estimated from the 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Adjusted mean total annual health care costs in 2015 US dollars were estimated using the Optum Research Database. The annual total health care cost burden was estimated by multiplying the population size by the mean annual total incremental health care costs overall and within subgroups.

RESULTS

There were 6.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 - 7.1) million and 12.0 (95% CI, 11.1 - 12.9) million US adults aged ≥45 years with diabetes and/or CVD on statin therapy with TG ≥ 150 mg/dL and TG < 150 mg/dL, respectively. The mean adjusted incremental total one-year health care costs in adults with TG ≥ 150 mg/dL compared with those with TG < 150 mg/dL was $1730 (95% CI, $1160 - $2320). This leads to a projected annual incremental cost burden associated with HTG in patients with diabetes or CVD on statins of $10.7 billion (95% CI, $6.8 B - $14.6 B).

CONCLUSION

In US adults on statins and at high risk for CVD, the health care costs associated with HTG are substantial.

Statins: Then and Now

The discovery of statins (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors) is a consequence of the highly targeted, arduous search for naturally occurring compounds that inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. An enormous amount of basic scientific, genetic, and clinical research substantiated the role of lipoprotein-derived cholesterol in atherogenesis. Quantifying the impact of lipid lowering on cardiovascular event rates became an issue of utmost urgency. Although a variety of nonstatin drugs had been tested in clinical trials, they found limited utility in the clinical setting due to lack of mortality reduction or tolerability issues. As multiple prospective randomized statin trials began publishing their results, it became clear that reducing atherogenic lipoprotein burden with these drugs was highly efficacious, safe, and generally well tolerated. Statins have been shown to reduce risk for nonfatal MI, ischemic stroke, need for revascularization, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. They have also been shown to stabilize and even regress established atherosclerotic plaque. For the first 2 decades of their use, statin dosing was largely determined by risk-stratified low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. More recently, there has been a transition away from LDL-C goal attainment with a focus more on cardiovascular risk and percent LDL-C reduction. Unfortunately, long-term adherence rates with statin therapy remain low and, even when used, they tend to be underdosed.

Safety of red yeast rice supplementation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Recently, concerns regarding the safety of red yeast rice (RYR) have been raised after the publication of some case reports claiming toxicity. Since the previous meta-analyses on the effects of RYR were mainly focused on its efficacy to improve lipid profile and other cardiovascular parameters, we carried out a meta-analysis on safety data derived from the available randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs). Primary outcomes were musculoskeletal disorders (MuD). Secondary outcomes were non-musculoskeletal adverse events (Non-MuD) and serious adverse events (SAE). Subgroups analyses were carried out considering the intervention (RYR alone or in association with other nutraceutical compounds), monacolin K administered daily dose (≤3, 3.1-5 or >5 mg/day), follow-up (>12 or ≤12 weeks), with statin therapy or statin-intolerance and type of control treatment (placebo or statin treatment). Data were pooled from 53 RCTs comprising 112 treatment arms, which included 8535 subjects, with 4437 in the RYR arm and 4303 in the control one. Monacolin K administration was not associated with increased risk of MuD (odds ratio (OR) = 0.94, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53,1.65). Moreover, we showed reduced risk of Non-MuD (OR = 0.59, 95%CI 0.50, 0.69) and SAE (OR = 0.54, 95%CI 0.46, 0.64) vs. control. Subgroups analyses confirmed the high tolerability profile of RYR. Furthermore, increasing daily doses of monacolin K were negatively associated with increasing risk of Non-MuD (slope: -0.10; 95%CI: -0.17, -0.03; two-tailed p < 0.01). Based on our data, RYR use as lipid-lowering dietary supplement seems to be overall tolerable and safe in a large kind of moderately hypercolesterolaemic subjects.

Trends in Lipids, Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Diabetes Mellitus in the United States: An NHANES Analysis (2003-2004 to 2013-2014)

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to estimate frequency and prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes mellitus in US adults.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; 2003-2004 to 2013-2014) (n = 32,188). The frequency and prevalence of diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² ), and abdominal obesity were calculated and extrapolated to the US adult population. Average levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were also assessed.

RESULTS

Mean HDL-C remained constant over the study in men (~48 mg/dL) and women (~58 mg/dL). A downward trend was observed for median TG levels in men (122 mg/dL, 2003-2004; 98 mg/dL, 2013-2014) and women (110 mg/dL, 2003-2004; 90 mg/dL, 2013-2014). The estimated frequency of obesity increased by 20.4 million, and the estimated frequency of diabetes increased by 9 million, affecting 21.2 million (10%) and 30.2 million (13%) US adults, respectively. The estimated frequency (and prevalence) of metabolic syndrome was unchanged at ~50 million (23%).

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency and prevalence of key cardiovascular risk factors, particularly diabetes and obesity, continue to increase in US adults and represent a substantial clinical burden. More effective preventive interventions are required to reduce the rising prevalence of obesity and its metabolic sequelae.

Composite acute phase glycoproteins with coronary artery calcification depends on metabolic syndrome presence - The Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

BACKGROUND

Inflammation has been weakly associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC) in the overall population. However, it is currently unknown whether this varies according to the cardio-metabolic profile. We evaluated the association between GlycA, a unique composite biomarker of pro-inflammatory acute phase glycoproteins, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), uric acid, and their composite values (composite inflammation) in the overall population and strata according to cardiovascular risk.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study of 3753 Sao Paulo site participants of the ELSA-Brasil cohort that were free of cardiovascular/chronic inflammatory disease and not taking statins or allopurinol. We measured GlycA by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. For each biomarker quartile (Qs), we ran adjusted logistic and linear regression for CAC>0 and CAC score.

RESULTS

In the overall analysis, the 4th vs. 1st GlycA Q odds ratio (OR) for CAC>0 was 1.53 (95% CI: 1.18, 1.98, p trend<0.001) adjusted for demographics and lifestyle, but null after adding metabolic syndrome (MS) components, OR 1.14 (95% CI: 0.86, 1.51, p trend=0.140). Likewise, for continuous CAC values there was no difference across GlycA Qs in the fully adjusted analysis. Similarly, hsCRP, uric acid, and composite inflammation were not associated with CAC>0 or CAC score. In stratified analysis, GlycA was associated with CAC>0 in No-MS individuals, standardized (SD) OR 1.23 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.40); but not in MS individuals, SD OR 1.01 (95% CI: 0.89, 1.15) (p interaction 0.037). We found similar interaction in stratified analysis for continuous CAC on composite inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

GlycA and composite inflammation are associated with CAC among low cardiovascular risk individuals (No-MS), but not otherwise. GlycA and composite biomarkers may better represent sources of inflammation apart from visceral obesity and traditional cardiovascular risk factors, which may have relevant effect on CAC accumulation in low cardiovascular risk individuals.