Publication

Effectiveness, Adherence, and Safety of Evolocumab in a Swiss Multicenter Prospective Observational Study

Journal Paper/Review - Nov 18, 2021

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Nanchen D, Reichert N, Rossi M, Crljenica C, Mueller C, Mach F, Koskinas K, Rickli H, Bilz S, Carballo D, Sudano I. Effectiveness, Adherence, and Safety of Evolocumab in a Swiss Multicenter Prospective Observational Study. Adv Ther 2021; 39:504-517.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Adv Ther 2021; 39
Publication Date
Nov 18, 2021
Issn Electronic
1865-8652
Pages
504-517
Brief description/objective

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.