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Chen T, Spiegel T, Zhang H, Celmins L, Bickley D, Scarpelli D. Evaluating the impact of a discharge pharmacy in the emergency department on emergency department revisits and admissions. Am J Emerg Med 2024; 79:116-121. [PMID: 38422752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2024.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Medication nonadherence leads to worse health outcomes, increased healthcare service utilization, and increased overall healthcare costs. OBJECTIVE To determine whether a discharge pharmacy located in the Emergency Department (ED) reduces ED revisits and hospitalizations. DESIGN This is a cohort study where we extracted data from our electronic medical records with adult encounters between 12/2019-10/2021. For the purpose of this study, we defined a revisit to the ED as within 7 days and an admission within 30 days from prior initial ED visit. SETTING The University of Chicago Medicine is an academic medical center located in Chicago's South Side. PARTICIPANTS Between dates of 12/2019-11/2021, we had 78,660 adult distinct encounters. We created 5 different groups: no medications prescribed, ED discharge pharmacy only, e-prescriptions to outside pharmacies, combination of ED pharmacy and e-prescription sent elsewhere, and printed prescriptions with or without any e-prescriptions. EXPOSURE Our ED pharmacy is located within the adult ED, serving only patients seen and discharged from the adult ED. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S) Our primary endpoint is to evaluate if prescribing and dispensing prescriptions from only our ED pharmacy is associated with decreased ED revisits within 7 days and reduced hospitalizations within 30 days of initial ED visit. RESULTS When comparing patients who received prescriptions only from the ED discharge pharmacy, patients who received no prescriptions were 31.6% (P < 0.001) more likely to revisit our ED, and patients who received e-prescriptions sent to other pharmacies were 10.4% (P = 0.017) more likely to revisit. Patients who received e-prescriptions from other pharmacies were 29.2% (P < 0.001) more likely to be hospitalized and mixture of e-prescriptions were 59.5% (P < 0.001) more likely to be hospitalized compared to the ED pharmacy only group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE We believe having a pharmacy providing medications to patients being discharged from the ED reduces barriers like cost, transportation, and pharmacy access patients face trying to fill prescriptions at their local pharmacy. All of these reductions in barriers provides an easier and more convenient method for patients to obtain their medications at discharge from the ED, reducing the risk of a repeat ED visit and subsequent hospital admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Hospital Medicine, University of Chicago.
| | - Thomas Spiegel
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago
| | - Hui Zhang
- Center for Health and the Social Sciences, University of Chicago
| | | | - Daniel Bickley
- Department of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Chicago; Center for Health and the Social Sciences, University of Chicago
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Grigorian-Shamagian L, Coca A, Morais J, Perez-Martinez P. The use of the CNIC-Polypill in real-life clinical practice: opportunities and challenges in patients at very high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - expert panel meeting report. BMC Proc 2023; 17:20. [PMID: 37587509 PMCID: PMC10433542 DOI: 10.1186/s12919-023-00268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the cardiovascular (CV) polypill concept is not new and several guidelines state that a CV polypill should be considered an integral part of a comprehensive CV disease (CVD) prevention strategy, there are still some barriers to its implementation in the real-world setting, mainly in secondary CV prevention. As the CNIC-polypill is the only one approved for secondary CV prevention in patients with atherosclerotic CVD in 27 countries worldwide, a panel of four discussants and 30 participants from 18 countries conveyed in a virtual meeting on April 21, 2022, to discuss key clinical questions regarding the practical use of the CNIC-Polypill and barriers to its implementation.Data presented showed that, although the use of the CV polypill is not explicitly mentioned in the current 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines on CVD prevention, it may be used in any patient for secondary CVD prevention tolerating all their components to improve outcomes through different aspects. The favourable results of the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly (SECURE) trial now reinforce this recommendation. The panellists presented algorithms on how to switch from any baseline regimen when starting treatment with the CNIC-polypill in different situations, including patients with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and a previous CV event; at discharge after a cardiovascular event; in chronic ischemic conditions; and in cases of polypharmacy. The panellists and expert discussants did agree that available studies conducted so far with the CNIC-polypill demonstrate that it is as efficacious as the monocomponents, equipotent drugs, or other therapies; reduces the risk of experiencing recurrent major CV events; improves medication adherence; reduces health care costs and resources compared to patients treated with loose drugs; and the patients prefer it over the multipill strategy.In conclusion, the data presented by the participants provided the evidence behind the use of the CNIC-polypill to help fulfil the goal of encouraging its adoption by physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilian Grigorian-Shamagian
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón and Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Antonio Coca
- Hypertension and Vascular Risk Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joao Morais
- Leiria Hospital Centre, Leiria, Portugal
- ciTechCare - Center for Innovative Care and Health Technology, Polytechnique of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal
| | - Pablo Perez-Martinez
- Lipids and Atherosclerosis Unit, IMIBIC/Reina Sofia University Hospital/University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatologia Obesidad Y Nutricion (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Cordero A, Dalmau González-Gallarza R, Masana L, Fuster V, Castellano JM, Ruiz Olivar JE, Zsolt I, Sicras-Mainar A, González Juanatey JR. Economic Burden Associated with the Treatment with a Cardiovascular Polypill in Secondary Prevention in Spain: Cost-Effectiveness Results of the NEPTUNO Study. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2023; 15:559-571. [PMID: 37489131 PMCID: PMC10363366 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s396290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to estimate health-care resources utilization, costs and cost-effectiveness associated with the treatment with CNIC-Polypill as secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) compared to other treatments, in clinical practice in Spain. Patients and Methods An observational, retrospective study was performed using medical records (economic results [healthcare perspective], NEPTUNO-study; BIG-PAC-database) of patients who initiated secondary prevention between 2015 and 2018. Patients were followed up to 2 years (maximum). Four cohorts were balanced with a propensity-score-matching (PSM): 1) CNIC-Polypill (aspirin+atorvastatin+ramipril), 2) Monocomponents (same separate drugs), 3) Equipotent (equipotent drugs) and 4) Other therapies ([OT], other cardiovascular drugs). Incidence of cardiovascular events, health-care resources utilization and healthcare and non-healthcare costs (2020 Euros) were compared. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios per cardiovascular event avoided were estimated. Results After PSM, 1614 patients were recruited in each study cohort. The accumulated incidence of cardiovascular events during the 24-month follow-up was lower in the CNIC-Polypill cohort vs the other cohorts (19.8% vs Monocomponents: 23.3%, Equipotent: 25.5% and OT: 26.8%; p<0.01). During the follow-up period, the CNIC-Polypill cohort also reduced the health-care resources utilization per patient compared to the other cohorts, particularly primary care visits (16.6 vs Monocomponents: 18.7, Equipotent: 18.9 and OT: 21.0; p<0.001) and hospitalization days (2.3 vs Monocomponents: 3.4, Equipotent: 3.7 and OT: 4.0; p<0.001). The treatment cost in the CNIC-Polypill cohort was lower than that in the other cohorts (€4668 vs Monocomponents: €5587; Equipotent: €5682 and OT: €6016; p<0.001) (Difference: -€919, -€1014 and -€1348, respectively). Due to the reduction of cardiovascular events and costs, the CNIC-Polypill is a dominant alternative compared to the other treatments. Conclusion CNIC-Polypill reduces recurrent major cardiovascular events and costs, being a cost-saving strategy as secondary prevention of ASCVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cordero
- Cardiology Service, San Juan University Hospital, Alicante, Spain
- Cardiovascular Diseases Network Research Center (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lluis Masana
- Sant Joan University Hospital, Vascular Medicine and Metabolism Unit, Reus, Spain
- Pere Virgili Institute of Health Research (IISPV), Reus, Spain
- Center for Biomedical Research Network on Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM), Reus, Spain
| | - Valentín Fuster
- National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jose Mª Castellano
- National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
- Integral Center for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIEC), Montepríncipe University Hospital, HM Hospitales Group, Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, CEU San Pablo University, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ilonka Zsolt
- Corporate Medical Affairs, Ferrer, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Jose Ramón González Juanatey
- Cardiovascular Diseases Network Research Center (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Cardiology Service, University Hospital of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Santiago de Compostela Health Research Institute (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Götzinger F, Wilke T, Hardtstock F, Krieger J, Maywald U, Kunz M, Lauder L, Schulz M, Mahfoud F, Böhm M. Association of hydrochlorothiazide treatment compared with alternative diuretics with overall and skin cancer risk: a propensity-matched cohort study. J Hypertens 2023; 41:926-933. [PMID: 36927711 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000003414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) has been suggested to induce photosensitivity, thereby increasing the incidence of skin cancers. After a pharmacovigilance alert, HCT was frequently withdrawn or substituted by other diuretics. The aim of this study was to compare the association of exposure to HCT with cancer risk versus alternative diuretics. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on data from the AOK PLUS, a large German statutory health insurance fund. Patients with HCT treatment were propensity score matching to patients using non-HCT diuretics. Incidence of cancer of any kind and, specifically, skin cancer was assessed in both groups. Time-to-incident cancer diagnosis was evaluated and compared between the groups. RESULTS A total of 199 708 patients were included in the final analysis ( n = 76 855 in the HCT group; n = 122 853 in the non-HCT-diuretics group). After propensity score matching, 122 554 patients remained in the sample ( n = 61 277 for both groups, of which >96% had hypertension, mean age 73 years, 61% female). HCT treatment was associated with a lower incidence of cancer of any kind compared with non-HCT diuretics (incidence rate ratio per 100 patient years 0.84 95% confidence interval: 0.82-0.87). HCT treatment was associated with a small albeit significantly higher incidence rate ratio of skin cancer (1.15 95% confidence interval: 1.06-1.24) with significant variances over time. Although numerically higher, the difference accounts to only 0.05 more skin cancer diagnoses in 100 patient-years. CONCLUSION HCT treatment compared with alternative diuretics was associated with a lower all-cancer risk and a numerically small increased skin cancer risk in a large German population. Risk-benefit evaluation should be executed in patients with increased skin cancer risk and treatment with HCT. Furthermore, advice for skin protection is warranted in all patients taking thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Götzinger
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg
| | - Thomas Wilke
- Institute for Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Logistics, Wismar
| | | | | | | | - Michael Kunz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg
| | - Lucas Lauder
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg
| | - Martin Schulz
- Drug Commission of German Pharmacists
- Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Mahfoud
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg
| | - Michael Böhm
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Cardiology, Angiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Saarland University Hospital, Saarland University, Homburg
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Despang P, Schikora M, Doehner W. [The polypill in cardiovascular prevention: successful through simplification? : New study results on the benefit of the polypill strategy in primary and secondary prevention]. INNERE MEDIZIN (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2023:10.1007/s00108-023-01506-0. [PMID: 37227456 DOI: 10.1007/s00108-023-01506-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease is still the major cause of death worldwide. Beside the elevated blood pressure, a major modifiable risk factor is the elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Although both risk factors are well manageable, therapeutic control remains poor with low adherence to medication being a major cause of insufficient treatment success. One solution to overcome this issue is the polypill concept, i.e. a combination of different drugs in one tablet. This not only increases adherence but also significantly improves patients' prognosis by reducing cardiovascular events. OBJECTIVE This review focuses on current evidence published in randomized control trials in primary and secondary prevention. A major focus is on the recently published SECURE trial dealing with the polypill in secondary prevention. CURRENT DATA Most trials dealing with the polypill concept focus on the control of risk factors such as blood pressure and LDL cholesterol while lacking a prognostic benefit in the form of a reduction in cardiovascular events. Recent trials such as the HOPE‑3, PolyIran and TIPS‑3 trials have shown a prognostic improvement for the polypill in primary prevention. In secondary prevention there has been a lack of prognostic benefit for the polypill to date. The recently published SECURE trial closed this gap by showing a significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in post-infarct patients and also showing a reduction in cardiovascular death by 33%. CONCLUSION The concept of the polypill has evolved from a comfort method for patients aimed at facilitating adherence to an innovative therapeutic concept with a proven prognostic advantage compared to current treatment practice by reducing cardiovascular events and mortality. Therefore, it is time to implement the concept of the polypill in primary and secondary prevention to improve patients' prognosis and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Despang
- Medizinische Abteilung, APONTIS PHARMA GmbH & Co. KG, Monheim, Deutschland
| | - Martin Schikora
- Kardiologische Abteilung, Brandenburgklinik, Michels Kliniken, Bernau bei Berlin, Deutschland
| | - Wolfram Doehner
- Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung - Zentrum für regenerative Therapien (BCRT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Medizinische Klinik mit Schwerpunkt Kardiologie (Virchow-Klinikum), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK), Standort Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Schmieder RE, Wassmann S, Predel HG, Weisser B, Blettenberg J, Gillessen A, Randerath O, Mevius A, Wilke T, Böhm M. Improved Persistence to Medication, Decreased Cardiovascular Events and Reduced All-Cause Mortality in Hypertensive Patients With Use of Single-Pill Combinations: Results From the START-Study. Hypertension 2023; 80:1127-1135. [PMID: 36987918 PMCID: PMC10112936 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.122.20810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Single-pill combination improves adherence and persistence to medication in hypertension. It remains unclear whether this also reduces cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality. We analyzed whether single-pill combinations are superior to identical multiple pills on persistence to medication, cardiovascular outcomes, and all-cause mortality. METHODS This was a retrospective claims data (German AOK PLUS) analysis. Data from hypertensive patients ≥18 years treated with renin-angiotensin system combinations given as single pill or identical multipills covering the years 2012 to 2018 were analyzed and followed up to at least 1 year. After 1:1 propensity score matching, persistence to medication, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality were compared using non-parametric tests. Results were reported as incidence rate ratios and hazard ratios. RESULTS After propensity score matching data from 57 998 patients were analyzed: 10 801 patients received valsartan/amlodipine, 1026 candesartan/amlodipine, 15 349 ramipril/amlodipine, and 1823 amlodipine/valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide as single pill or identical multipill. No relevant differences in patient characteristics were observed within the 4 groups. In all groups, a significant lower all-cause mortality, a significant a higher persistence to medication, a significant lower event rate in 15 out of 20 comparisons, and a tendency in the remaining 5 comparisons was observed under single pills compared with multipill combinations. CONCLUSIONS Antihypertensive combination therapy reduces all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events when provided as single pill compared to identical drugs as multipills. This strongly supports the European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension and International Society of Hypertension guidelines recommending the use of a single-pill combination and thus should be more rigorously implemented into daily clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland E. Schmieder
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg, Germany (R.E.S.)
| | - Sven Wassmann
- Cardiology Pasing, Faculty of Medicine, Munich and University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany (S.W.)
| | - Hans-Georg Predel
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany (H.-G.P.)
| | - Burkhard Weisser
- Institute of Sports Science, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Germany (B.W.)
| | | | - Anton Gillessen
- Herz-Jesu-Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Münster (A.G.)
| | - Olaf Randerath
- Medical Department, APONTIS PHARMA Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Monheim, Germany (O.R.)
| | - Antje Mevius
- Institut für Pharmakoökonomie und Arzneimittellogistik (IPAM), Wismar, Germany (A.M., T.W.)
| | - Thomas Wilke
- Institut für Pharmakoökonomie und Arzneimittellogistik (IPAM), Wismar, Germany (A.M., T.W.)
| | - Michael Böhm
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany (M.B.)
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Safety and efficacy of a cardiovascular polypill in people at high and very high risk without a previous cardiovascular event: the international VULCANO randomised clinical trial. BMC Cardiovasc Disord 2022; 22:560. [PMID: 36550424 PMCID: PMC9773517 DOI: 10.1186/s12872-022-03013-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiovascular (CV) polypills are a useful baseline treatment to prevent CV diseases by combining different drug classes in a single pill to simultaneously target more than one risk factor. The aim of the present trial was to determine whether the treatment with the CNIC-polypill was at least non-inferior to usual care in terms of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and systolic BP (SBP) values in subjects at high or very high risk without a previous CV event. METHODS The VULCANO was an international, multicentre open-label trial involving 492 participants recruited from hospital clinics or primary care centres. Patients were randomised to the CNIC-polypill -containing aspirin, atorvastatin, and ramipril- or usual care. The primary outcome was the comparison of the mean change in LDL-c and SBP values after 16 weeks of treatment between treatment groups. RESULTS The upper confidence limit of the mean change in LDL-c between treatments was below the prespecified margin (10 mg/dL) and above zero, and non-inferiority and superiority of the CNIC-polypill (p = 0.0001) was reached. There were no significant differences in SBP between groups. However, the upper confidence limit crossed the prespecified non-inferiority margin of 3 mm Hg. Significant differences favoured the CNIC-polypill in reducing total cholesterol (p = 0.0004) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (p = 0.0017). There were no reports of major bleeding episodes. The frequency of non-serious gastrointestinal disorders was more frequent in the CNIC-polypill arm. CONCLUSION The switch from conventional treatment to the CNIC-polypill approach was safe and appears a reasonable strategy to control risk factors and prevent CVD. Trial registration This trial was registered in the EU Clinical Trials Register (EudraCT) the 20th February 2017 (register number 2016-004015-13; https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=2016-004015-13 ).
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Katzmann JL, Kieble M, Enners S, Böhm M, Mahfoud F, Laufs U, Schulz M. Trends in Ezetimibe Prescriptions as Monotherapy or Fixed-Dose Combination in Germany 2012–2021. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:912785. [PMID: 35770230 PMCID: PMC9234160 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.912785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Aims Addition of ezetimibe to statin therapy is recommended by current guidelines when low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets are not achieved with statin monotherapy. Fixed-dose combinations (FDC) improve medication adherence and facilitate risk factor control. We assessed prescription trends of ezetimibe as monotherapy or FDC with statins. Methods Data from the German Institute for Drug Use Evaluation (DAPI) containing dispensing data of >80% of community pharmacies were analyzed. Prescriptions over time of lipid-lowering agents at the expense of the statutory health insurance (SHI) were extrapolated to all SHI-insured persons, representing approximately 88% of the total German population. Drug utilization was expressed as defined daily doses per 1,000 SHI-insured persons per day (DID). Results Of all lipid-lowering drug prescriptions in 2021, 91.2% were statin monotherapy. Ezetimibe was prescribed as monotherapy or FDC with statin in 4.4 and 2.9%, respectively. DID steadily increased for statin (69%) and ezetimibe (424%) monotherapies between 2012 and 2021. In contrast, statin-ezetimibe FDC prescriptions exhibited only a minor increase (29%). The proportion of statin-ezetimibe FDC among all statin prescriptions was stable over time at approximately 3%. FDC prescription rates by specialists were higher compared to general practitioners and varied considerably between geographic areas. Conclusion Combination lipid-lowering therapy is prescribed to a minority of patients. Prescriptions of ezetimibe as monotherapy increased to a much greater extent than statin-ezetimibe FDC. Considering the low proportion of patients achieving their LDL-C target and improved adherence to FDC compared to separate pills, statin-ezetimibe FDC may be utilized to improve the management of dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius L. Katzmann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- *Correspondence: Julius L. Katzmann,
| | - Marita Kieble
- Deutsches Arzneiprüfungsinstitut e.V. (DAPI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Salka Enners
- Deutsches Arzneiprüfungsinstitut e.V. (DAPI), Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Böhm
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany
| | - Felix Mahfoud
- Klinik für Innere Medizin III, Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Laufs
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Martin Schulz
- Deutsches Arzneiprüfungsinstitut e.V. (DAPI), Berlin, Germany
- Institut für Pharmazie, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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