Evolocumab effectiveness in the real-world setting: Austrian data from the pan-European observational HEYMANS study

BACKGROUND

This real-world study examined clinical characteristics and dyslipidemia management among patients initiating evolocumab across 12 European countries. Austrian data are reported.

METHODS

Data of consenting adults were collected for ≤ 6 months prior to evolocumab initiation (baseline) and ≤ 30 months post-initiation. Patient characteristics, lipid lowering therapy (LLT, i.e. statin and/or ezetimibe) and lipid values were collected from medical records.

RESULTS

In Austria, 363 patients were enrolled. At baseline, 52% of patients initiated evolocumab without background LLT; the median (Q1, Q3) initial low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level was 142 (111, 187) mg/dL. Within 3 months of evolocumab treatment, median LDL‑C decreased by 59% to 58 (37, 91) mg/dL. This reduction was maintained over time, despite consistently infrequent use of background LLT. LDL-C < 55 mg/dL was attained by 65% of patients (76% with, 55% without background LLT). Evolocumab persistence was ≥ 90% at month 12 and month 30.

CONCLUSION

In Austria, patients were initiated on evolocumab at LDL‑C levels almost 3‑times higher than the guideline-recommended clinical goal (< 55 mg/dL). Persistence with evolocumab was very high. Evolocumab led to a rapid and sustained LDL‑C reduction with 65% attaining the LDL‑C goal. Patients using evolocumab in combination with statins and/or ezetimibe were more likely to attain their LDL‑C goal and thus decrease cardiovascular risk.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies.

METHODS

For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia.

FINDINGS

Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified.

INTERPRETATION

Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life.

FUNDING

Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Sanofi-Aventis, Daiichi Sankyo, and Regeneron.

[Overweight and obesity in adults: general principles of treatment and conservative management]

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is steadily increasing in Austria as well as internationally. Obesity in particular is associated with multiple health risks, comorbidities, functional disability, and social stigma. Obesity is an independent, complex, chronic disease and should be treated as such by a multidisciplinary team of appropriately qualified personnel. In addition to recent international guidelines, this consensus paper outlines the overall principles of the management of overweight and obesity and provides guidance for the diagnosis and conservative treatment, focusing on lifestyle modifications and pharmacotherapy. Using the "5A" framework of behavioral health intervention, guidelines for a structured, pragmatic, and patient-centered medical care of adults with overweight or obesity are presented.

Simulation of bempedoic acid and ezetimibe in the lipid-lowering treatment pathway in Austria using the contemporary SANTORINI cohort of high and very high risk patients

OBJECTIVE

The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals in the 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society dyslipidaemia guidelines necessitate greater use of combination therapies. We describe a real-world cohort of patients in Austria and simulate the addition of oral bempedoic acid and ezetimibe to estimate the proportion of patients reaching goals.

METHODS

Patients at high or very high cardiovascular risk on lipid-lowering treatments (excluding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors) from the Austrian cohort of the observational SANTORINI study were included using specific criteria. For patients not at their risk-based goals at baseline, addition of ezetimibe (if not already received) and subsequently bempedoic acid was simulated using a Monte Carlo simulation.

RESULTS

A cohort of patients (N = 144) with a mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of 76.4 mg/dL, with 94% (n = 135) on statins and 24% (n = 35) on ezetimibe monotherapy or in combination, were used in the simulation. Only 36% of patients were at goal (n = 52). Sequential simulation of ezetimibe (where applicable) and bempedoic acid increased the proportion of patients at goal to 69% (n = 100), with a decrease in the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol from 76.4 mg/dL at baseline to 57.7 mg/dL overall.

CONCLUSIONS

The SANTORINI real-world data in Austria suggest that a proportion of high and very high-risk patients remain below the guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals. Optimising use of oral ezetimibe and bempedoic acid after statins in the lipid-lowering pathway could result in substantially more patients attaining low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals, likely with additional health benefits.

Treatment gaps in the implementation of LDL cholesterol control among high- and very high-risk patients in Europe between 2020 and 2021: the multinational observational SANTORINI study

Background

European data pre-2019 suggest statin monotherapy is the most common approach to lipid management for preventing cardiovascular (CV) events, resulting in only one-fifth of high- and very high-risk patients achieving the 2019 ESC/EAS recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. Whether the treatment landscape has evolved, or gaps persist remains of interest.

Methods

Baseline data are presented from SANTORINI, an observational, prospective study that documents the use of lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) in patients ≥18 years at high or very high CV risk between 2020 and 2021 across primary and secondary care settings in 14 European countries.

Findings

Of 9602 enrolled patients, 9044 with complete data were included (mean age: 65.3 ± 10.9 years; 72.6% male). Physicians reported using 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines as a basis for CV risk classification in 52.0% (4706/9044) of patients (overall: high risk 29.2%; very high risk 70.8%). However, centrally re-assessed CV risk based on 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines suggested 6.5% (308/4706) and 91.0% (4284/4706) were high- and very high-risk patients, respectively. Overall, 21.8% of patients had no documented LLTs, 54.2% were receiving monotherapy and 24.0% combination LLT. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) LDL-C was 2.1 (1.6, 3.0) mmol/L (82 [60, 117] mg/dL), with 20.1% of patients achieving risk-based LDL-C goals as per the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines.

Interpretation

At the time of study enrolment, 80% of high- and very high-risk patients failed to achieve 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines LDL-C goals. Contributory factors may include CV risk underestimation and underutilization of combination therapies. Further efforts are needed to achieve current guideline-recommended LDL-C goals.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04271280.

Funding

This study is funded by Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, Munich, Germany.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with mortality-the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are effectors of metabolic diseases, but their impact on mortality is largely unknown. We investigated the association of BCAA with risk factors and mortality in 2,236 participants of the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study using linear and Cox regression. Adiponectin, hemoglobin, C-peptide, hemoglobin A_1c, and homoarginine showed the strongest association with BCAA concentration (all p < 0.001). During a median follow-up of 10.5 years, 715 participants died, including 450 cardiovascular-related deaths. BCAA concentrations were inversely associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality (HR [95% CI] per 1-SD increase in log-BCAA: 0.75 [0.69-0.82] and 0.72 [0.65-0.80], respectively) after adjustment for potential confounders. BCAAs are directly associated with metabolic risk but inversely with mortality in persons with intermediate-to-high cardiovascular risk. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of BCAA in the context of cardiovascular diseases.

[Nutrition for diabetic patients (Update 2023)]

All patients with diabetes require individual and personalized nutritional consultation with professionals. The patient's needs should be the primary focus of the dietary therapy, taking their lifestyle and the type of diabetes into consideration. With the recommendations to the patient's diet, there need to be specific metabolic goals to reduce the disease's progression and to avoid long term health effects. Therefore, practical guidelines such as portion size and meal planning tips should be the main focus.According to the latest national and international standards, patients suffering from diabetes should have access to nutrition consulting and nutritional training. During consultation they can be supported on- how to manage their health condition and choosing food and beverage to improve their health.These practical recommendations sum up the latest literature on nutritional aspects of diabetes treatment.

[Mental disorders and diabetes mellitus (Update 2023)]

Psychiatric disorders and psychological problems are common in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is a twofold increase in depression which is associated with suboptimal glycemic control and increased morbidity and mortality. Other psychiatric disorders with a higher incidence of diabetes are cognitive impairment, dementia, disturbed eating behavior, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and borderline personality disorder. The coincidence of mental disorders and diabetes has unfavorable influences on metabolic control and micro- and macroangiopathic complications. Improvement of therapeutic outcome is a challenge in the modern health care system. The intentions behind this position paper are to rise awareness of this special set of problems, to intensify cooperation between involved health care providers and to reduce incidence of diabetes mellitus as well as morbidity and mortality from diabetes in this patient group.

[Obesity and type 2 diabetes (Update 2023)]

The body mass index (BMI) is a very crude measure of body fatness in individuals. Even normal weight persons can have too much body fat in cases of a lack of muscle mass (sarcopenia), which is why additional measurements of waist circumference and body fatness, e.g. bioimpedance analysis (BIA), are recommended. Lifestyle management including nutrition modification and increase in physical activity are important measures for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Regarding the treatment of type 2 diabetes, body weight is increasingly used as a secondary target parameter. The choice of anti-diabetic treatment and additional concomitant therapies is increasingly influenced by body weight. The importance of modern GLP‑1 agonists and dual GLP‑1 GIP agonists increases since these drugs target obesity and type 2 diabetes. Bariatric surgery is at present indicated with a BMI > 35 kg/m² with concomitant risk factors, such as diabetes and can lead at least to partial diabetes remission but has to be incorporated into an appropriate lifelong care concept.

[Lipids-Diagnosis and therapy in diabetes mellitus (Update 2023)]

Hyper- and dyslipidemia contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Pharmacological therapy to lower LDL cholesterol has convincingly shown to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. The present article represents the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the use of lipid-lowering drugs in diabetic patients according to current scientific evidence.

[Antihyperglycemic treatment guidelines for diabetes mellitus type 2 (Update 2023)]

Hyperglycemia significantly contributes to complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. While lifestyle interventions remain cornerstones of disease prevention and treatment, most patients with type 2 diabetes will eventually require pharmacotherapy for glycemic control. The definition of individual targets regarding optimal therapeutic efficacy and safety as well as cardiovascular effects is of great importance. In this guideline we present the most current evidence-based best clinical practice data for healthcare professionals.

A High-Protein and Low-Glycemic Formula Diet Improves Blood Pressure and Other Hemodynamic Parameters in High-Risk Individuals

Low-caloric formula diets can improve hemodynamic parameters of patients with type 2 diabetes. We, therefore, hypothesized that persons with overweight or obesity can benefit from a high-protein, low-glycemic but moderate-caloric formula diet. This post-hoc analysis of the Almased Concept against Overweight and Obesity and Related Health Risk- (ACOORH) trial investigated the impact of a lifestyle intervention combined with a formula diet (INT, n = 308) compared to a control group with lifestyle intervention alone (CON, n = 155) on hemodynamic parameters (systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), resting heart rate (HR), and pulse wave velocity (PWV)) in high-risk individuals with prehypertension or hypertension. INT replaced meals during the first 6 months (1 week: 3 meals/day; 2−4 weeks: 2 meals/day; 5−26 weeks: 1 meal/day). Study duration was 12 months. From the starting cohort, 304 (68.3%, INT: n = 216; CON: n = 101) participants had a complete dataset. Compared to CON, INT significantly reduced more SBP (−7.3 mmHg 95% CI [−9.2; −5.3] vs. −3.3 mmHg [−5.9; −0.8], p < 0.049) and DBP (−3.7 mmHg [−4.9; −2.5] vs. −1.4 mmHg [−3.1; 0.2], p < 0.028) after 12 months. Compared to CON, INT showed a pronounced reduction in resting HR and PWV after 6 months but both lost significance after 12 months. Changes in SBP, DBP, and PWV were significantly associated positively with changes in body weight and fat mass (all p < 0.05) and resting HR correlated positively with fasting insulin (p < 0.001) after 12 months. Combining a lifestyle intervention with a high-protein and low-glycemic formula diet improves hemodynamic parameters to a greater extent than lifestyle intervention alone in high-risk individuals with overweight and obesity.

Effects of Alirocumab on Triglyceride Metabolism: A Fat-Tolerance Test and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study

Background: PCSK9 antibodies strongly reduce LDL cholesterol. The effects of PCSK9 antibodies on triglyceride metabolism are less pronounced. The present study aimed to investigate in detail the effects of alirocumab on triglycerides, triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, and lipase regulators. Methods: A total of 24 patients with an indication for treatment with PCSK9 antibodies were recruited. There were two visits at the study site: the first before initiation of treatment with alirocumab and the second after 10 weeks of treatment. Fat-tolerance tests, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to analyze lipid metabolism. Results: A total of 21 participants underwent the first and second investigation. Among these, two participants only received alirocumab twice and 19 patients completed the trial per protocol. All of them had atherosclerotic vascular disease. There was no significant effect of alirocumab treatment on fasting triglycerides, post-prandial triglycerides, or lipoprotein-lipase regulating proteins. Total, large, and small LDL particle concentrations decreased, while the HDL particle concentration increased (all p < 0.001). Mean total circulating PCSK9 markedly increased in response to alirocumab treatment (p < 0.001). Whereas PCSK9 increased more than three-fold in all 19 compliant patients, it remained unchanged in those two patients with two injections only. Conclusion: Significant effects of alirocumab on triglyceride metabolism were not detectable in the ALIROCKS trial. The total circulating PCSK9 concentration might be a useful biomarker to differentiate non-adherence from non-response to PCSK9 antibodies.

Global perspective of familial hypercholesterolaemia: a cross-sectional study from the EAS Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC)

BACKGROUND

The European Atherosclerosis Society Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) global registry provides a platform for the global surveillance of familial hypercholesterolaemia through harmonisation and pooling of multinational data. In this study, we aimed to characterise the adult population with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia and described how it is detected and managed globally.

METHODS

Using FHSC global registry data, we did a cross-sectional assessment of adults (aged 18 years or older) with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of probable or definite heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia at the time they were entered into the registries. Data were assessed overall and by WHO regions, sex, and index versus non-index cases.

FINDINGS

Of the 61 612 individuals in the registry, 42 167 adults (21 999 [53·6%] women) from 56 countries were included in the study. Of these, 31 798 (75·4%) were diagnosed with the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria, and 35 490 (84·2%) were from the WHO region of Europe. Median age of participants at entry in the registry was 46·2 years (IQR 34·3-58·0); median age at diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia was 44·4 years (32·5-56·5), with 40·2% of participants younger than 40 years when diagnosed. Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors increased progressively with age and varied by WHO region. Prevalence of coronary disease was 17·4% (2·1% for stroke and 5·2% for peripheral artery disease), increasing with concentrations of untreated LDL cholesterol, and was about two times lower in women than in men. Among patients receiving lipid-lowering medications, 16 803 (81·1%) were receiving statins and 3691 (21·2%) were on combination therapy, with greater use of more potent lipid-lowering medication in men than in women. Median LDL cholesterol was 5·43 mmol/L (IQR 4·32-6·72) among patients not taking lipid-lowering medications and 4·23 mmol/L (3·20-5·66) among those taking them. Among patients taking lipid-lowering medications, 2·7% had LDL cholesterol lower than 1·8 mmol/L; the use of combination therapy, particularly with three drugs and with proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 inhibitors, was associated with a higher proportion and greater odds of having LDL cholesterol lower than 1·8 mmol/L. Compared with index cases, patients who were non-index cases were younger, with lower LDL cholesterol and lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (all p<0·001).

INTERPRETATION

Familial hypercholesterolaemia is diagnosed late. Guideline-recommended LDL cholesterol concentrations are infrequently achieved with single-drug therapy. Cardiovascular risk factors and presence of coronary disease were lower among non-index cases, who were diagnosed earlier. Earlier detection and greater use of combination therapies are required to reduce the global burden of familial hypercholesterolaemia.

FUNDING

Pfizer, Amgen, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Sanofi-Aventis, Daiichi Sankyo, and Regeneron.

Evaluation of contemporary treatment of high- and very high-risk patients for the prevention of cardiovascular events in Europe - Methodology and rationale for the multinational observational SANTORINI study

Background and aims

Clinical practice before 2019 suggests a substantial proportion of high and very high CV risk patients taking lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) would not achieve the new LDL-C goals recommended in the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines (<70 and < 55 mg/dL, respectively). To what extent practice has changed since the last ESC/EAS guideline update is uncertain, and quantification of remaining implementation gaps may inform health policy.

Methods

The SANTORINI study is a multinational, multicentre, prospective, observational, non-interventional study documenting patient data at baseline (enrolment) and at 12-month follow-up. The study recruited 9606 patients ≥18 years of age with high and very high CV risk (as assigned by the investigators) requiring LLT, with no formal patient or comparator groups. The primary objective is to document, in the real-world setting, the effectiveness of current treatment modalities in managing plasma levels of LDL-C in high- and very high-risk patients requiring LLT. Key secondary effectiveness objectives include documenting the relationship between LLT and levels of other plasma lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and overall predicted CV risk over one year. Health economics and patient-relevant parameters will also be assessed.

Conclusions

The SANTORINI study, which commenced after the 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines were published, is ideally placed to provide important contemporary insights into the evolving management of LLT in Europe and highlight factors contributing to the low levels of LDL-C goal achievement among high and very high CV risk patients. It is hoped the findings will help enhance patient management and reduce the burden of ASCVD in Europe.

Efficacy and tolerability of alirocumab in Austrian clinical practice - results of the non-interventional PEARL-AT study

OBJECTIVE

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibition can be an effective treatment in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, particularly in cases with concomitant coronary heart disease, peripheral artery occlusive disease or cerebrovascular occlusive disease for secondary prevention after an acute atherosclerotic ischemic event. The primary objective of the PEARL-AT study was to assess effectiveness and safety of alirocumab in a real-world setting in Austria.

METHODS

Non-interventional, prospective study conducted across Austria between September 2016 and July 2018. 113 patients, for whom the decision for treatment with alirocumab according to the Austrian Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) was made, were enrolled and were followed-up over 24 weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the average change of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by week 24.

RESULTS

In total, 112 patients with at least one post-baseline visit were included. Alirocumab was initiated using 75 mg (57.1%) and 150 mg (42.9%) every two weeks. Average LDL-C levels decreased by 75.0 mg/dl at week 24 in 87 patients with available LDL-C at baseline and week 24 (in 25 patients LDL-C was missing at least at one time point). The mean relative change of LDL-C was -50.0% (median: 57.8%, SD: 28.4). Throughout the study, 46 adverse events were documented in 21 (18.6%) patients. The most frequent adverse events were gastrointestinal disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The present data indicate a good overall efficacy of alirocumab in a real-world Austrian population. Effectiveness and safety were both in line with the clinical trial program as well as previous real-world observations.

Prevalence of endocrine disorders in obese patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The increasing prevalence of obesity is expected to promote the demand for endocrine testing. To facilitate evidence guided testing, we aimed to assess the prevalence of endocrine disorders in patients with obesity. The review was carried out as part of the Endocrine Work-up for the Obesity Guideline of the European Society of Endocrinology.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

METHODS

A search was performed in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and COCHRANE Library for original articles assessing the prevalence of hypothyroidism, hypercortisolism, hypogonadism (males) or hyperandrogenism (females) in patients with obesity. Data were pooled in a random-effects logistic regression model and reported with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI).

RESULTS

Sixty-eight studies were included, concerning a total of 19.996 patients with obesity. The pooled prevalence of overt (newly diagnosed or already treated) and subclinical hypothyroidism was 14.0% (95% CI: 9.7-18.9) and 14.6% (95% CI: 9.2-20.9), respectively. Pooled prevalence of hypercortisolism was 0.9% (95% CI: 0.3-1.6). Pooled prevalence of hypogonadism when measuring total testosterone or free testosterone was 42.8% (95% CI: 37.6-48.0) and 32.7% (95% CI: 23.1-43.0), respectively. Heterogeneity was high for all analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of endocrine disorders in patients with obesity is considerable, although the underlying mechanisms are complex. Given the cross-sectional design of the studies included, no formal distinction between endocrine causes and consequences of obesity could be made.

European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Practice Guideline: Endocrine work-up in obesity

Obesity is an emerging condition, with a prevalence of ~20%. Although the simple measurement of BMI is likely a simplistic approach to obesity, BMI is easily calculated, and there are currently no data showing that more sophisticated methods are more useful to guide the endocrine work-up in obesity. An increased BMI leads to a number of hormonal changes. Additionally, concomitant hormonal diseases can be present in obesity and have to be properly diagnosed - which in turn might be more difficult due to alterations caused by body fatness itself. The present European Society of Endocrinology Clinical Guideline on the Endocrine Work-up in Obesity acknowledges the increased prevalence of many endocrine conditions in obesity. It is recommended to test all patients with obesity for thyroid function, given the high prevalence of hypothyroidism in obesity. For hypercortisolism, male hypogonadism and female gonadal dysfunction, hormonal testing is only recommended if case of clinical suspicion of an underlying endocrine disorder. The guideline underlines that weight loss in obesity should be emphasized as key to restoration of hormonal imbalances and that treatment and that the effect of treating endocrine disorders on weight loss is only modest.

Obesity Management Task Force of the European Association for the Study of Obesity Released "Practical Recommendations for the Post-Bariatric Surgery Medical Management"

Bariatric patients may face specific clinical problems after surgery, and multidisciplinary long-term follow-up is usually provided in specialized centers. However, physicians, obstetricians, dieticians, nurses, clinical pharmacists, midwives, and physical therapists not specifically trained in bariatric medicine may encounter post-bariatric patients with specific problems in their professional activity. This creates a growing need for dissemination of first level knowledge in the management of bariatric patients. Therefore, the Obesity Management Task Force (OMTF) of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) decided to produce and disseminate a document containing practical recommendations for the management of post-bariatric patients. The list of practical recommendations included in the EASO/OMTF document is reported in this brief communication.

["Diabesity"-Obesity and type 2 diabetes (Update 2019)]

For several years obesity and type 2 diabetes have been increasingly summarized under the name "diabesity". This is due to the fact that in most cases obesity precedes diabetes and is the most important risk factor for the worldwide increase of type 2 diabetes. The body mass index (BMI) is a very crude measure of body fatness in individuals. Even normal weight persons can have too much body fat in cases of a lack of muscle mass (sarcopenia), which is why additional measurements of waist circumference and body fatness, e. g. bioimpedance analysis (BIA), are recommended. Lifestyle management including nutrition modification and increase in physical activity are important measures for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Regarding the treatment of type 2 diabetes, body weight is increasingly used as a secondary target parameter. The choice of anti-diabetic treatment and also concomitant treatment is increasingly influenced by body weight. The significance of anti-obesity medications in the treatment of type 2 diabetes will have to be clarified by future studies with body weight as the primary endpoint. Bariatric surgery is at present indicated with a BMI >35 kg/m² with concomitant risk factors, such as diabetes and can lead at least to partial diabetes remission but has to be incorporated into an appropriate lifelong care concept.

[Insulin therapy of type 2 diabetes mellitus (Update 2019)]

The present article is a recommendation of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the practical use of insulin in type 2 diabetes, including the various insulin regimens.

[Mental disorders and diabetes mellitus (Update 2019)]

Psychiatric disorders and psychological problems are common in patients with diabetes mellitus. There is a twofold increase in depression which is associated with suboptimal glycemic control and increased morbidity and mortality. Other psychiatric disorders with a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus are cognitive impairment, dementia, disturbed eating behavior, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and borderline personality disorder. The coincidence of mental disorders and diabetes mellitus has unfavorable influences on metabolic control and micro- and macroangiopathic complications. Improvement of therapeutic outcome is a challenge in the modern health care system. The intentions behind this position paper are to rise awareness of this special set of problems, to intensify cooperation between involved health care providers and to reduce incidence of diabetes mellitus as well as morbidity and mortality from diabetes in this patient group.

[Antihyperglycemic treatment guidelines for diabetes mellitus type 2 (Update 2019)]

Hyperglycemia significantly contributes to complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. While lifestyle interventions remain cornerstones of disease prevention and treatment, most patients with type 2 diabetes will eventually require pharmacotherapy for glycemic control. The definition of individual targets regarding optimal therapeutic efficacy and safety as well as cardiovascular effects is of great importance. In this guideline we present the most current evidence-based best clinical practice data for healthcare professionals.

[Lipids-Diagnosis and therapy in diabetes mellitus (Update 2019)]

Hyper- and dyslipidemia contribute to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Pharmacological therapy to lower LDL cholesterol has convincingly shown to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients. The present article represents the recommendations of the Austrian Diabetes Association for the use of lipid-lowering drugs in diabetic patients according to current scientific evidence.

The ABCD of Obesity: An EASO Position Statement on a Diagnostic Term with Clinical and Scientific Implications

Obesity is a frequent, serious, complex, relapsing, and chronic disease process that represents a major public health problem. The coining of obesity as an adiposity-based chronic disease (ABCD) is of particular relevance being in line with EASO's proposal to improve the International Classification of Diseases ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for obesity based on three dimensions, namely etiology, degree of adiposity, and health risks. The body mass index as a unique measurement of obesity does not reflect the whole complexity of the disease. Obesity complications are mainly determined by 2 pathological processes, i.e., physical forces (fat mass disease) as well as endocrine and immune responses (sick fat disease), which are embedded in a cultural and physical context leading to a specific ABCD stage.

European Practical and Patient-Centred Guidelines for Adult Obesity Management in Primary Care

The first contact for patients with obesity for any medical treatment or other issues is generally with General Practitioners (GPs). Therefore, given the complexity of the disease, continuing GPs' education on obesity management is essential. This article aims to provide obesity management guidelines specifically tailored to GPs, favouring a practical patient-centred approach. The focus is on GP communication and motivational interviewing as well as on therapeutic patient education. The new guidelines highlight the importance of avoiding stigmatization, something frequently seen in different health care settings. In addition, managing the psychological aspects of the disease, such as improving self-esteem, body image and quality of life must not be neglected. Finally, the report considers that achieving maximum weight loss in the shortest possible time is not the key to successful treatment. It suggests that 5-10% weight loss is sufficient to obtain substantial health benefits from decreasing comorbidities. Reducing waist circumference should be considered even more important than weight loss per se, as it is linked to a decrease in visceral fat and associated cardiometabolic risks. Finally, preventing weight regain is the cornerstone of lifelong treatment, for any weight loss techniques used (behavioural or pharmaceutical treatments or bariatric surgery).

Body mass index impacts the choice of lipid-lowering treatment with no correlation to blood cholesterol - Findings from 52 916 patients in the Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS)

A high body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We sought to identify whether BMI influences the choice of lipid-lowering treatment in a large, real-world cohort of 52 916 patients treated with statins. The Dyslipidemia International Study (DYSIS) is a cross-sectional, observational, multicentre study in statin-treated patients ≥45 years of age from 30 countries; 1.1% were underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m² ), 33.1% had normal weight (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² ), 41.5% were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m² ), 17.1% had class I obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m² ), 5.0% had class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m² ), and 2.1% had class III obesity (≥40 kg/m² ). BMI correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (Spearman's ρ: -0.147 and 0.170, respectively; P < 0.0001 for both); however, there was no correlation with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; ρ: 0.003; P = 0.51). Statin intensity increased with increasing BMI (ρ: 0.13; P < 0.001), an association that held after adjustment for comorbidities (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 2.0-3.0) on BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² for atorvastatin equivalent ≥40 mg/d.

Sarcopenic obesity: Time to meet the challenge

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide due to increasingly pervasive obesogenic lifestyle changes. Obesity poses unprecedented individual, social and multi-disciplinary medical challenges by increasing the risk for metabolic diseases, chronic organ failures and cancer, as well as complication rates in the presence of acute disease conditions. Whereas reducing excess adiposity remains the fundamental pathogenetic treatment for obese individuals, complex metabolic and lifestyle abnormalities as well as weight-reduction therapies per se may also compromise the ability to preserve muscle function and mass, especially when chronic disease co-exists with obesity. Emerging evidence indicates that low muscle mass and quality have a strong negative prognostic impact in obese individuals and may lead to frailty, disability and increased morbidity and mortality. Awareness of the importance of skeletal muscle maintenance in obesity is however low among clinicians and scientists. The term "sarcopenic obesity" has been proposed to identify obesity with low skeletal muscle function and mass, but its utilization is largely limited to the aging patient population, and consensus on its definition and diagnostic criteria remains insufficient. Knowledge on prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in various clinical conditions and patient subgroups, on its clinical impacts in patient risk stratification and on effective prevention and treatment strategies remain therefore dramatically inadequate. In particular, optimal dietary options and medical nutritional support strategies to preserve muscle mass in obese individuals remain largely undefined. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) recognize and indicate obesity with altered body composition due to low skeletal muscle function and mass (sarcopenic obesity) as a scientific and clinical priority for researchers and clinicians. ESPEN and EASO therefore call for coordinated action aimed at reaching consensus on its definition, diagnostic criteria and optimal treatment with particular regard to nutritional therapy. We are convinced that achievement of these goals has strong potential to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in the rapidly increasing obese patient population.

Two-Stage Evaluation of a Telehealth Nutrition Management Service in Support of Diabesity Therapy

BACKGROUND

Diabesity, a combination of diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity, is one of the biggest global health problems. Individual nutrition therapy and physical activity are effective measures in prevention and treatment.

METHODS

Requirements for an integrated diabesity service were specified and evaluated in two stages. The aim of the first stage was to perform a feasibility trial in patients with diabesity, using separate diaries. DiabMemory for diabetes and Nutrinaut for nutrition. Based on the results of the first stage, a prototype of an integrated diabesity solution (KIT-Nutriton, AIT) was developed and evaluated.

RESULTS

First stage trial was performed with 10 diabesity patients (2f, med:53 y. (IQR:7), T2DM, BMI > 28 kg/m²) with 3 months follow-up and a significant reduction of BMI. Participants noticed concerns about using two separate diary solutions. Results of the field trial with KIT-Nutrition with 14 healthy subjects (3f, med:26 y (IQR: 20,25)) showed that overall, 77.6% of the intended tasks had been achieved.

CONCLUSION

Results show that the integrated KIT-Nutrition app, providing access to a nutrition database, is feasible and accepted by the users. Before further trials can be made, an extension for regional food terms is recommended.

Sarcopenic Obesity: Time to Meet the Challenge

The prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide due to increasingly pervasive obesogenic lifestyle changes. Obesity poses unprecedented individual, social, and multidisciplinary medical challenges by increasing the risk for metabolic diseases, chronic organ failures, and cancer as well as complication rates in the presence of acute disease conditions. Whereas reducing excess adiposity remains the fundamental pathogenic treatment for obese individuals, complex metabolic and lifestyle abnormalities as well as weight reduction therapies per se may also compromise the ability to preserve muscle function and mass, especially when chronic disease co-exists with obesity. Emerging evidence indicates that low muscle mass and quality have a strong negative prognostic impact in obese individuals and may lead to frailty, disability, and increased morbidity and mortality. Awareness of the importance of skeletal muscle maintenance in obesity is however low among clinicians and scientists. The term 'sarcopenic obesity' has been proposed to identify obesity with low skeletal muscle function and mass, but its utilization is largely limited to the aging patient population, and consensus on its definition and diagnostic criteria remains insufficient. Knowledge on prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in various clinical conditions and patient subgroups, on its clinical impacts in patient risk stratification, and on effective prevention and treatment strategies remain therefore dramatically inadequate. In particular, optimal dietary options and medical nutritional support strategies to preserve muscle mass in obese individuals remain largely undefined. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) recognize and indicate obesity with altered body composition due to low skeletal muscle function and mass (sarcopenic obesity) as a scientific and clinical priority for researchers and clinicians. ESPEN and EASO therefore call for coordinated action aimed at reaching consensus on its definition, diagnostic criteria, and optimal treatment with particular regard to nutritional therapy. We are convinced that achievement of these goals has a strong potential to reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality in the rapidly increasing obese patient population.

Factor II G20210A and Factor V G1691A Gene Mutations and Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

G to A mutations at positions 20210 of the prothrombin gene (F2) and 1691 of the factor V gene (F5) are established risk factors for venous thrombosis. Several factors associated with coagulation and/or fibrinolysis have been associated with arterial occlusive disease, but the role of F2 20210A and F5 1691A for arterial occlusive disease remains unclear.

To investigate if F2 20210A and F5 1691A are associated with peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD).

We analyzed the prevalence of F2 20210A and F5 1691A alleles in 336 patients with documented PAOD at Fontaine stage II – IV and 300 controls without vascular disease. Allele frequencies in patients and controls were 0.013 and 0.022 for F2 20210A, and 0.042 and 0.045 for F5 1691, respectively, both differences being not statistically significant.

Our data suggest that mutations F2 G20210A and F5 G1691A are not associated with PAOD.

Austrian Lipid Consensus on the management of metabolic lipid disorders to prevent vascular complications: A joint position statement issued by eight medical societies. 2016 update

In 2010, eight Austrian medical societies proposed a joint position statement on the management of metabolic lipid disorders for the prevention of vascular complications. An updated and extended version of these recommendations according to the current literature is presented, referring to the primary and secondary prevention of vascular complications in adults, taking into consideration the guidelines of other societies. The "Austrian Lipid Consensus - 2016 update" provides guidance for individualized risk stratification and respective therapeutic targets, and discusses the evidence for reducing vascular endpoints with available lipid-lowering therapies. Furthermore, specific management in key patient groups is outlined, including subjects presenting with coronary, cerebrovascular, and/or peripheral atherosclerosis; diabetes mellitus and/or metabolic syndrome; nephropathy; and familial hypercholesterolemia.

[Antihyperglycemic treatment guidelines for diabetes mellitus type 2]

Hyperglycemia significantly contributes to micro- and macrovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. While lifestyle interventions remain cornerstones of disease prevention and treatment, most patients with type 2 diabetes will eventually require pharmacotherapy for glycemic control. The definition of individual targets regarding optimal therapeutic efficacy and safety is of great importance. In this guideline we present the most current evidence-based best clinical practice data for healthcare professionals.

Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: Two Diseases with a Need for Combined Treatment Strategies - EASO Can Lead the Way

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease affecting adults and children worldwide. It has become one of the leading causes of death, as obesity is known to be the main risk factor for a number of non-communicable diseases, in particular type 2 diabetes. This close relationship led to the connotation 'diabesity', highlighting the fact that the majority of individuals with diabetes are overweight or obese. Until today the BMI is still used to classify overweight and obesity. Since reduced muscle mass is highly prevalent throughout the BMI range, the measurement of body composition is strongly recommended. Moreover, it is essential for monitoring the course of weight reduction, which is part of every effective anti-obesity treatment. Weight reduction can be achieved via different weight loss strategies, including lifestyle intervention (diet and exercise), pharmacotherapy, or bariatric surgery. However, not all of these strategies are suitable for all patients, and any further needs should be considered. Besides, attention should also be drawn to concomitant therapies. These therapies may promote additional weight gain and further trigger the deterioration of blood glucose control. Thus, therapeutic strategies are warranted, which can be easily used for the management of obese patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve their glycemic and weight loss goals.

Practical Recommendations of the Obesity Management Task Force of the European Association for the Study of Obesity for the Post-Bariatric Surgery Medical Management

Bariatric surgery is today the most effective long-term therapy for the management of patients with severe obesity, and its use is recommended by the relevant guidelines of the management of obesity in adults. Bariatric surgery is in general safe and effective, but it can cause new clinical problems and is associated with specific diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic needs. For clinicians, the acquisition of special knowledge and skills is required in order to deliver appropriate and effective care to the post-bariatric patient. In the present recommendations, the basic notions needed to provide first-level adequate medical care to post-bariatric patients are summarised. Basic information about nutrition, management of co-morbidities, pregnancy, psychological issues as well as weight regain prevention and management is derived from current evidences and existing guidelines. A short list of clinical practical recommendations is included for each item. It remains clear that referral to a bariatric multidisciplinary centre, preferably the one performing the original procedure, should be considered in case of more complex clinical situations.

A Proposal of the European Association for the Study of Obesity to Improve the ICD-11 Diagnostic Criteria for Obesity Based on the Three Dimensions Etiology, Degree of Adiposity and Health Risk

Diagnostic criteria for complex medical conditions caused by a multitude of both genetic and environmental factors should be descriptive and avoid any attribution of causality. Furthermore, the wording used to describe a disorder should be evidence-based and avoid stigmatization of the affected individuals. Both terminology and categorizations should be readily comprehensible for healthcare professionals and guide clinical decision making. Uncertainties with respect to diagnostic issues and their implications may be addressed to direct future clinical research. In this context, the European Association of the Study of Obesity (EASO) considers it an important endeavor to review the current ICD-11 Beta Draft for the definition of overweight and obesity and to propose a substantial revision. We aim to provide an overview of the key issues that we deem relevant for the discussion of the diagnostic criteria. We first discuss the current ICD-10 criteria and those proposed in the ICD 11 Beta Draft. We conclude with our own proposal for diagnostic criteria, which we believe will improve the assessment of patients with obesity in a clinically meaningful way.

[Nutrition for diabetic patients]

Evidence demonstrates that medical diabetes treatment has to be accompanied by lifestyle modifications. Structured nutrition interventions and increased physical activity will help patients to normalise, respectively maintain their body weight. The main target of a diabetes therapy is aimed at achieving normal or nearly normal blood glucose levels. Reaching this goal may be facilitated by the following nutritional patterns: Using mainly carbohydrates from vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fruits, Restriction of mono- and disaccharides are often important factors in normalising body weight and blood glucose, Reduction of dietary fat could be indicated. However, the primary goal is the limitation of saturated fatty acids which to high percentage are consumed with animal products. There is not sufficient evidence to recommend a dietary protein consumption of more than 20% of energy intake. Individuals with diabetes should be aware of the importance of acquiring daily vitamin and mineral requirements. Natural food sources should be preferred.

European Guidelines for Obesity Management in Adults

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease characterised by an increase of body fat stores. It is a gateway to ill health, and it has become one of the leading causes of disability and death, affecting not only adults but also children and adolescents worldwide. In clinical practice, the body fatness is estimated by BMI, and the accumulation of intra-abdominal fat (marker for higher metabolic and cardiovascular disease risk) can be assessed by waist circumference. Complex interactions between biological, behavioural, social and environmental factors are involved in regulation of energy balance and fat stores. A comprehensive history, physical examination and laboratory assessment relevant to the patient's obesity should be obtained. Appropriate goals of weight management emphasise realistic weight loss to achieve a reduction in health risks and should include promotion of weight loss, maintenance and prevention of weight regain. Management of co-morbidities and improving quality of life of obese patients are also included in treatment aims. Balanced hypocaloric diets result in clinically meaningful weight loss regardless of which macronutrients they emphasise. Aerobic training is the optimal mode of exercise for reducing fat mass while a programme including resistance training is needed for increasing lean mass in middle-aged and overweight/obese individuals. Cognitive behavioural therapy directly addresses behaviours that require change for successful weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Pharmacotherapy can help patients to maintain compliance and ameliorate obesity-related health risks. Surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity in terms of long-term weight loss. A comprehensive obesity management can only be accomplished by a multidisciplinary obesity management team. We conclude that physicians have a responsibility to recognise obesity as a disease and help obese patients with appropriate prevention and treatment. Treatment should be based on good clinical care, and evidence-based interventions; should focus on realistic goals and lifelong multidisciplinary management.

Interrelated aldosterone and parathyroid hormone mutually modify cardiovascular mortality risk

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate aldosterone and parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Accumulating evidence suggests bidirectional interplay between aldosterone and PTH.

METHODS

We evaluated the cross-sectional relationship between plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) and PTH and subsequently tested whether the interaction between PAC and PTH modified the risk of cardiovascular death. PAC [78.0 (48.0-123.0) pg/mL], ARR [6.4 (2.9-12.9) pg/mL/pg/mL] and PTH concentration [median: 29.0 (22.0-40.0) pg/mL] were measured in 3074 patients (mean age: 62.5 ± 10.6 years; 30.3% women) referred to coronary angiography in a tertiary care center in Southwest Germany.

RESULTS

Using multiple linear regression analysis, PAC and ARR emerged as an independent predictor of higher PTH concentrations (β=0.12 and 0.21, P<0.001 for both) irrespective of intake of antihypertensive treatment, 25(OH)D, kidney function, serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium, cortisol, NT-pro-BNP, soluble α-klotho and FGF-23 concentration. After a median follow-up of 9.9 years, 512 (16.7%) participants had died due to fatal cardiovascular events. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis revealed that both PAC and PTH were independently associated with cardiovascular mortality, with a potential synergistic interaction (P=0.028). PAC and PTH are exclusively associated with cardiovascular death in subjects with PTH and PAC concentrations above the median, respectively (PAC: HR per log SD: 1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.29; P=0.026; PTH: HR per log SD: 1.18; 95% CI 1.02-1.37; P=0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher PAC and ARR were independently associated with PTH. PAC was independently related to incident cardiovascular mortality exclusively in patients with elevated PTH and vice versa.

Marinobufagenin in essential hypertension and primary aldosteronism: a cardiotonic steroid with clinical and diagnostic implications

BACKGROUND

The cardiotonic steroid marinobufagenin (MBG) is increasingly suggested to be responsible for some of the cardiovascular injury that has been previously attributed to aldosterone. We examined the clinical correlates of circulating MBG concentrations in hypertensive patients and tested the hypothesis that MBG serves as a reliable diagnostic tool for detecting primary aldosteronism (PA).

METHODS

Plasma MBG concentrations (mean: 0.51±0.25 nmol/l) were measured in the morning fasting samples in 20 patients with PA and 20 essential hypertensive (EH) controls matched for age, sex, body mass index, renal function, urinary sodium and intake of antihypertensive medication (mean age: 51.6 years; 52.2% women).

RESULTS

Overall, plasma MBG was directly correlated with plasma aldosterone, aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR), diastolic blood pressure, mean carotid intima-media thickness, serum sodium, urinary protein to creatinine ratio and inversely with serum potassium levels. Plasma MBG levels were significantly higher in patients with PA compared to EH (mean: 0.68±0.12 versus 0.35±0.24 nmol/l; p<0.001). ROC analysis yielded a greater AUC for plasma MBG compared to the AARR, PAC and serum potassium levels for detecting PA. Youden's Index analyses yielded the optimal plasma MBG cut-off score for diagnosing PA at >0.49 nmol/l with specificity and sensitivity values of 0.85 and 0.95, respectively, which were higher than those at the optimum AARR cut-off at >3.32 ng/dl/µU/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

In a well-characterized cohort, values of plasma MBG were significantly related to clinical correlates of cardiovascular and renal disease. Plasma MBG emerged as a valuable alternative to the AARR for screening of PA.

[New AHA and ACC guidelines on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk : Statement of the D•A•CH Society for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, the Austrian Atherosclerosis Society and the Working Group on Lipids and Atherosclerosis (AGLA) of the Swiss Society for Cardiology]

Guidelines for the reduction of cholesterol to prevent atherosclerotic vascular events were recently released by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology. The authors claim to refer entirely to evidence from randomized controlled trials, thereby confining their guidelines to statins as the primary therapeutic option. The guidelines derived from these trials do not specify treatment goals, but refer to the percentage of cholesterol reduction by statin medication with low, moderate, and high intensity. However, these targets are just as little tested in randomized trials as are the cholesterol goals derived from clinical experience. The same applies to the guidelines of the four patient groups which are defined by vascular risk. No major statin trial has included patients on the basis of their global risk; thus the allocation criteria are also arbitrarily chosen. These would actually lead to a significant increase in the number of patients to be treated with high or maximum dosages of statins. Also, adhering to dosage regulations instead of cholesterol goals contradicts the principles of individualized patient care. The option of the new risk score to calculate lifetime risk up to the age of 80 years in addition to the 10-year risk can be appreciated. Unfortunately it is not considered in the therapeutic recommendations provided, despite evidence from population and genetic studies showing that even a moderate lifetime reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol or non-HDL cholesterol has a much stronger effect than an aggressive treatment at an advanced age. In respect to secondary prevention, the new American guidelines broadly match the European guidelines. Thus, the involved societies from Germany, Austria and Switzerland recommend continuing according to established standards, such as the EAS/ESC guidelines.