Amendment of the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol target in the 'Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Adult Dyslipidemia': Opinion

Correlation Analysis of Neutrophil/Albumin Ratio and Leukocyte Count/Albumin Ratio with Ischemic Stroke Severity

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a common neurological disease in the elderly, but the relationship between neutrophil/albumin ratio (NAR) and leukocyte count/albumin ratio (LAR) and the severity of neurological function injury and early neurological deterioration (END) occurrence remain elusive in acute IS. A total of 299 patients with acute IS and 56 healthy controls were enrolled. According to the NIHSS score at admission, the disease group was divided into three groups (mild, moderate and severe IS), and the differences in five indexes NAR, LAR, neutrophil count, leukocyte count and albumin among the four groups were analyzed. Furthermore, explore the correlation between the above indicators and the severity of IS and END occurrence. The results showed that higher NAR, LAR, neutrophil count, leukocyte count levels and lower albumin levels were associated with acute IS, and the levels of NAR and LAR increased gradually in three groups of IS. NAR and LAR were positively and albumin was negatively correlated with the severity of IS. Meanwhile, NAR and LAR showed a good predictive value in identifying patients with END after acute IS. NAR and LAR may be predictors of the severity of IS and END occurrence after acute IS.

The dose-response relationship of serum uric acid with Dyslipidaemia and its components: a cross-sectional study of a Chinese multi-ethnic cohort

Background

The association between serum uric acid (SUA) and the components of dyslipidaemia and their dose-response relationships have not been thoroughly explored. This study assessed the relationship between SUA and each dyslipidaemia component in Dong, Miao, and Bouyei populations in Guizhou by sex and ethnicities and investigated the dose-response relationship.

Methods

In total, 16,092 participants aged 30–79 years from The China Multi-Ethnic Cohort (CMEC) Study were examined. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to explore the relationship between SUA and each dyslipidaemia component by sex and three ethnicities. The dose-response associations between SUA and various dyslipidaemias were investigated using restricted cubic spline regression.

Results

After controlling for confounding factors, the SUA level in total participants positively correlated with each dyslipidaemia component, and women had higher odds ratios (ORs) for each dyslipidaemia component than men (P for trend < 0.001). At the SUA level > 6.37 mg/dL, ORs (95% CI) for dyslipidaemia in the Dong, Miao and Bouyei were 2.89 (2.00–4.19), 2.43 (1.70–3.48), and 3.26 (2.23–4.78), respectively. When the SUA concentration increased by 1 mg/dL, the ORs (95% CI) for total dyslipidaemia was 1.31 (1.24–1.37). A positive dose-response but nonlinear association was found between SUA and total dyslipidaemia, high total cholesterol, and low HDL, whereas an inverse U-shaped association was found between SUA and high LDL-C ( P-nonlinear< 0.0001).

Conclusion

The SUA level was positively correlated with each dyslipidaemia component in Dong, Miao, and Bouyei adults, and sex and ethnic differences were also found. A nonlinear dose-response relationship was found between SUA levels and dyslipidaemia and its components. Further research is warranted to investigate the causal link between SUA levels and dyslipidaemia incidence.

Time trends analysis of statin prescription prevalence, therapy initiation, dose intensity, and utilization from the hospital information system of Jinshan Hospital, Shanghai (2012-2018)

BACKGROUND

Statin remains a mainstay in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Statin utilization has evolved over time in many countries, but data on this topic from China are quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the changing trends of statins prescription, as well as detail the statin utilization through a successive longitudinal study.

METHODS

The prescription database was established based on electronic health records retrieved from the hospital information system of Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2012 to December 2018 in Shanghai, China. The prescription rates and proportions of different statin types and doses among all patients were examined. Sub-analyses were performed when stratifying the patients by age, gender, dose intensity, and preventative intervention.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 51,083 patients, who were prescribed for statins, were included in this study (mean [SD] age, 59.78 [±13.16] years; 53.60% male, n = 27, 378). The overall statins prescription rate in which patients increased from 2012 (1.24, 95% CI: 1.21-1.27%) to 2018 (3.16, 95% CI: 3.11-3.20%), P < 0.001. Over 90% of patients were given a moderate dose of statins. Patients with a history of coronary and cerebrovascular events (over 32%) were more likely to be prescribed with statins for preventative intervention. Furthermore, our study has witnessed a significant rise in statin therapy in primary and secondary prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, statins were frequently prescribed and steadily increased over time in our study period. There were also changes in statin drug choices and dosages. A coordinated effort among the patient, clinical pharmacist, stakeholders and health system is still needed to improve statin utilization in clinical practice in the future.

Is lipid goal one-size-fits-all: A review of evidence for recommended low-density lipoprotein treatment targets in Asian patients

The international guideline recommendations for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering were made based on the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), meta-analyses, and observational studies mostly in the White population. It was not clear whether these LDL-C targets could be applicable to other ethnic groups, for example, Asian patients. This review aimed to address major aspects related to the lipid goal and statin therapy in Asia, including the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease, the LDL-C profiles, the lipid goals from localized guidelines, genetics and lifestyles, and the efficacy and safety of statins. Owing to the geographic, ethnic, genetic, and cultural diversity in this region, we observed a geographic pattern of diversity in cardiovascular epidemiology and statin response in Central Asia, East Asia (particularly for Asia-Pacific region), and South Asia. The rapidly growing literature from Asian countries questioning "lower is better" hypothesis was noticed. However, owing to the nature of these dominantly observational data, the conclusion was hardly confirmative. Despite the rapid expansion of the current literature in this region, efforts should be made to ensure an adequate sample size to assess the significance of a given lipid parameter on overall cardiovascular outcomes in this Asian population.

Clinical and Economic Analysis of Lipid Goal Attainments in Chinese Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome Who Received Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

AIM

The recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of the guideline may be appropriate for Caucasian patients but not for other ethnic groups.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted in Hong Kong, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients who received percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2005 and 2015 were enrolled. The primary outcomes of interest were the total cost of care and cardiovascular-related cost during one-year follow-up. The cost difference by lipid goal attainments was analyzed by Poisson regression with multivariate treatment effects. The clinical outcomes achieved by lipid goal attainments in terms of major adverse cardiovascular events were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression.

RESULTS

Among the 4638 patients, 79.50%, 48.64%, and 36.14% attained the LDL-C goals of ＜2.6, ＜2.0, and ＜1.8 mmol/L for one year, respectively. Only about 16% patients achieved the ≥50% reduction from baseline. None of these lipid goals was associated with a significant reduction in the total cost of care. We only identified the clinical benefits associated with the lipid goal of ＜2.6 mmol/L. Other more stringent lipid goals seemed to bring a significant economic burden on cardiovascular-related cost, but their clinical benefits were uncertain.

CONCLUSIONS

Lowering LDL-C to achieve the guideline-recommended target levels for post-PCI ACS patients may lead to fewer cardiovascular events, but it may not necessarily lead to economic benefits within one year of follow-up.