Real World Data Analysis Reveals Nearly Half of All Adults at High Risk for ASCVD and Eligible for a Statin Were Not On Any Statin

Rhea-AI Summary

Esperion announced a significant real-world analysis involving over 400,000 high-risk patients for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), presented at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions. The study revealed that 46.9% of patients were not on any statin, with only 6.6% on under-dosed statins, highlighting a gap in guideline adherence for LDL-cholesterol therapies. Additionally, the use of non-statin lipid-lowering therapies was low at 8.1%. The findings emphasize the urgent need for increased education on appropriate lipid management treatments.

Positive

• Presentation of findings at a notable conference enhances visibility and credibility.
• Analysis involved a substantial sample size of over 400,000 patients, increasing reliability.

Negative

• 46.9% of high-risk patients were not on any statin, indicating poor adherence to treatment guidelines.
• Only 8.1% utilized non-statin lipid-lowering therapies, reflecting low adoption of available treatment options.

– Less than 1 in 10 were on any non-statin lipid lowering therapy –

– Findings were shared at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions –

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Esperion (NASDAQ: ESPR) announced findings from a real-world analysis of more than 400,000 patients at high-risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The findings were presented at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“While professional guidelines are clear on defining appropriate lipid-lowering therapies for individuals at high-risk for ASCVD based on LDL-cholesterol, this analysis demonstrates major shortfalls in the real-world application of those guidelines,” said JoAnne Foody, MD, FACC, FAHA, chief medical officer of Esperion. “While LDL-cholesterol as a cardiovascular risk factor is well known, there remains a persistent gap in applying evidence-based therapies to reduce LDL-C. These data reinforce the urgent need to improve the use of all appropriate statin and non-statin lipid-lowering therapies among at-risk patients.”

The analysis examined deidentified electronic health records from approximately 90 US health systems between 2017 and 2018. Three populations of high-risk individuals for ASCVD disease for primary prevention were included in the study: 1) patients with diabetes mellitus aged 40-75, 2) patients with calculated 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5% and age 40-75 and 3) individuals with LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL or familial hypercholesterolemia based on diagnosis code. Medication data, including self-reported use of supplements, were also examined. Patients were classified as: on appropriate-intensity statin (at least moderate intensity if diabetes mellitus or high 10-year ASCVD risk [≥7.5%], and at least high-intensity if LDL-C≥190mg/dL), on under-dosed statin, or not on a statin based on the 2013 ACC/AHA Cholesterol Guidelines in effect during the study time period.

The analysis identified 412,913 patients recommended for lipid-lowering therapy. Overall, 6.6% were on under-dosed statin, and 46.9% were not on any statin. Utilization of non-statin lipid-lowering therapy (ezetimibe, fibrates, niacin, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors) was low overall across all three groups (8.1%). However, nearly one in ten (9.3%) of those recommended for primary prevention reported taking non-prescription Omega-3/fish oil supplements.

“What was striking about this analysis is that not only are nearly half of adults not receiving any statin at all, but individuals also reported using supplements like fish oil with close to the same frequency of non-statin lipid-lowering therapies,” said Kristin Gillard, PharmD, PhD, Health Economics and Outcomes Research lead at Esperion. “This is an important notice to healthcare professionals about the need for greater education and awareness of FDA-approved, non-statin lipid-lowering therapeutics.”

Esperion Therapeutics
Esperion works hard to make our medicines easy to get, easy to take and easy to have. We discover, develop and commercialize innovative medicines and combinations to lower cholesterol, especially for patients whose needs aren’t being met by the status quo. Our entrepreneurial team of industry leaders is inclusive, passionate and resourceful. We are singularly focused on managing cholesterol so you can improve your health easily. For more information, please visit www.esperion.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/EsperionInc. 

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding future operations, commercial products, clinical development, and other statements containing the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “suggest,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “continue,” and similar expressions. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause Esperion’s actual results to differ significantly from those projected, including, without limitation, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on our business, revenues, results of operations and financial condition, the net sales, profitability, and growth of Esperion’s commercial products, clinical activities and results, supply chain, commercial development and launch plans, and the risks detailed in Esperion’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Esperion disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, other than to the extent required by law.

Contact:
Corporate Communications
corporateteam@esperion.com

FAQ

What were the findings of Esperion's recent study presented at the National Lipid Association Scientific Sessions?

Esperion's study indicated that 46.9% of high-risk patients for ASCVD were not on any statin and only 8.1% were using non-statin lipid-lowering therapies.

How many patients were analyzed in Esperion's study?

The study analyzed over 400,000 patients at high risk for ASCVD.

What is the significance of the low utilization rates of statins and non-statin therapies found in the study?

The low utilization rates highlight a significant gap in the application of guideline-recommended therapies for managing LDL-cholesterol among high-risk patients.

What does the analysis suggest about the need for lipid management in high-risk patients?

The analysis suggests an urgent need for improved education among healthcare professionals regarding the use of appropriate statin and non-statin lipid-lowering therapies.