Nanchen D, Carballo D, Bilz S, Rickli H, Koskinas KC, Mach F, Mueller C, Crljenica C, Rossi M, Reichert N, Sudano I. Effectiveness, Adherence, and Safety of Evolocumab in a Swiss Multicenter Prospective Observational Study.
Adv Ther 2022;
39:504-517. [PMID:
34796465 PMCID:
PMC8799585 DOI:
10.1007/s12325-021-01962-w]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Introduction
The aims of this study were to describe patient characteristics, lipid parameters, lipid-lowering drug use, and safety of patients receiving evolocumab in a real-world clinical setting.
Methods
We conducted a 1-year multicenter observational study of adults using evolocumab with confirmed atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) or at high cardiovascular risk, and elevated LDL-C despite maximally tolerated statin doses. An e-health application optionally supported patient management. The primary outcome was change in lipid parameters over time. The secondary outcomes included evolocumab safety.
Results
Of 100 participants, 81% had pre-existing CVD, 71% self-reported statin-related muscle symptoms, 44% received statins. All patients received evolocumab, 65% were PCSK9i pre-treated at baseline. PCSK9i-naïve patients achieved a mean LDL-C reduction of 60% within 3 months of evolocumab treatment, which was maintained thereafter; 74% achieved LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L at least once during observation, 69% attained < 1.4 mmol/L. In PCSK9i pre-treated patients, LDL-C remained stable throughout; 79% and 74% attained < 1.8 mmol/L and < 1.4 mmol/L, respectively, at least once. Goal attainment was higher with any combination of evolocumab, statin, and/or ezetimibe. Overall, 89% self-reported full evolocumab adherence. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) were reported in 30% of patients, two serious TEAEs occurred in one patient; three patients discontinued evolocumab because of TEAEs.
Conclusion
In real-world clinical practice, evolocumab was mainly used in patients with statin intolerance and pre-existing CVD. In this population, adherence to evolocumab and low LDL-C levels were maintained over 1 year, with better LDL-C goal achievement in patients using evolocumab in combination with other lipid-lowering drugs. Safety of evolocumab was similar to that documented in randomized controlled trials.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01962-w.
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