Categories
Change Password!
Reset Password!
Bempedoic acid significantly lowers LDL-C levels and helps over half of high-risk dyslipidemia patients achieve therapeutic targets in real-world clinical practice.
A prospective study from the Campania Region of Italy yielded real-world evidence that bempedoic acid (BA), a novel cholesterol-lowering medication, is effective, well-tolerated, and economically favorable for patients with dyslipidemia—especially those at high cardiovascular risk or with statin intolerance. Despite proven clinical trial efficacy, real-world data on BA has been limited. Hence, this study determined the use, lipid-lowering effect, safety, and cost impact of 180 mg BA—alone or combined with ezetimibe (10 mg)—in routine clinical settings.
In total, 111 consecutive patients were enrolled across 5 outpatient clinics. Clinical evaluations and lab tests, including lipid profiles, liver enzymes, and creatine phosphokinase levels, were carried out at baseline and again after at least 1 month. Adverse effects, treatment adherence, and persistence were also recorded. Volunteers had a mean age of 65 years, and 61% were male. At BA initiation:
BA therapy led to a remarkable reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels—from 89.9 ± 33.0 mg/dL to 56 ± 27.6 mg/dL (p < 0.0001). Overall, 46% of patients reached therapeutic LDL-C targets. Subgroup analysis showed:
Importantly, 54% of the entire cohort attained LDL-C goals with BA treatment. Side effects occurred in only 10% of patients, were mild, and fully reversible. Adherence was exceptionally high at 99%, and persistence at 1 month reached 90%. A preliminary pharmacoeconomic analysis revealed a reduction in healthcare costs—particularly in those who may otherwise need costlier PCSK9 inhibitors. In real-world clinical practice, bempedoic acid illustrated substantial LDL-C lowering, excellent tolerability, and strong patient adherence, particularly in those who failed to reach lipid targets on standard therapy or could not tolerate statins. These results not only confirm BA’s clinical utility but also highlight its potential for cost-effective lipid management in high-risk populations.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Clinical Utilization and Performance of Bempedoic Acid in an Italian Real-World Setting: Insight from Campania Region
Vincenzo Russo et al.Vincenzo Russo et al.
Comments (0)