Real-World Evaluation of Lipid Testing Rate and Treatment Target Attainment Among High-Risk Patients: Post Release of the 2018 AHA/ACC Practice Guidelines

Background/Synopsis

The 2018 AHA/ACC clinical practice guidelines set standards for treatment selection and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, real-world evidence on rates of lipid testing and LDL-C target attainment following guideline directed treatment (GDT) post-release of practice guidelines is limited.

Objective/Purpose

To assess the rates of lipid testing among patients with ASCVD and/or T2DM pre and post initiating statins or proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) and the extent of LDL-C target attainment in 12 months post-initiation after GDT versus non-GDT post-release of practice guidelines.

Methods

Adults initiating statins or PCSK9i between 01/01/2019 and 12/31/2020 with prior evidence of ASCVD and/or T2DM, and health plan enrollment for 12-month pre- and post-index pharmacy claim date (either statin or PCSK9i) were identified from the Healthcare Integrated Research Database. Lipid testing patterns and LDL-C target attainment rates (<70mg/dL) based on procedure codes or available lab results were examined. GDT was defined as high-intensity statin initiation in patients with ASCVD, moderate- or high-intensity statin initiation in patients with T2DM without ASCVD, PCSK9i in patients with ASCVD added to high-intensity statin and sustained high-intensity statin while persistent on PCSK9i during the 12 months follow-up period. Descriptive statistics were reported, and no statistical testing was performed.

Results

In total, 71,581 statin initiators with ASCVD/T2DM, and 3,038 PCSK9i initiators with ASCVD were included (mean age: 61-65 years; males: 55-60%). Among statin initiators and PCSK9i initiators with prior ASCVD, 72% and 79% had lipid testing during 12-month baseline, and 69% and 75% during 12-month follow-up, respectively. LDL-C target attainment rates during 12-month post-initiation among a subset of patients with at least one valid LDL-C measurement is as follows: 53% in GDT statin initiators with prior ASCVD versus 35% for non-GDT, 35% in GDT statin initiators with prior T2DM without ASCVD versus 16% for non-GDT, 65% among GDT PCSK9i initiators with prior ASCVD versus 53% for non-GDT, and 80% among patients with prior ASCVD with sustained high-intensity statin while persistent on PCSK9i versus 64% for non-persistent PCSK9i/statin.

Conclusions

Lipid testing rates were moderate. LDL-C target attainment in high-risk patients with lipid testing treated per 2018 AHA/ACC guidelines (i.e., GDT) were modestly improved versus non-GDT. Interventions to improve lipid testing rate may increase opportunities for treatment modification based on guidelines and better LDL-C target attainment to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.