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

Abstract

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.     

小四五汤在艾滋病血脂异常患者中的应用

艾滋病患者进行HAART过程中,使用含有克立芝片(洛匹那韦/利托那韦片)或依非韦伦片的抗病毒药治疗方案时,这2种药物有导致血脂异常的不良反应,患者常血脂升高。基于艾滋病中医共同病机的研究结果,选用小四五汤干预,发现该方能明显降低血脂。提高了艾滋病患者抗病毒治疗的依从性,增强了治疗效果,值得进一步深入研究。     

Cardiometabolic diseases of civilization: history and maturation of an evolving global threat. An update and call to action

Despite striking extensions of lifespan, leading causes of death in most countries now constitute chronic, degenerative diseases which outpace the capacity of health systems. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in both developed and undeveloped countries. In America, nearly half of the adult population has at least one chronic disease, and polypharmacy is commonplace. Prevalence of ideal cardiovascular health has not meaningfully improved over the past two decades. The fall in cardiovascular deaths in Western countries, half due to a fall in risk factors and half due to improved treatments, have plateaued, and this reversal is due to the dual epidemics of obesity and diabetes type 2. High burdens of cardiovascular risk factors are also evident globally. Undeveloped nations bear the burdens of both infectious diseases and high childhood death rates. Unacceptable rates of morbidity and mortality arise from insufficient resources to improve sanitation, pure water, and hygiene, ultimately linked to poverty and disparities. Simultaneously, about 80% of cardiovascular deaths now occur in low- and middle-income nations. For these reasons, risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, including poverty, health illiteracy, and lack of adherence, must be targeted with unprecedented vigor worldwide.

• Key messages

• In developed and relatively wealthy countries, chronic “degenerative” diseases have attained crisis proportions that threaten to reverse health gains made within the past decades.

• Although poverty, disparities, and poor sanitation still cause unnecessary death and despair in developing nations, they are now also burdened with increasing cardiovascular mortality.

• Poor adherence and low levels of health literacy contribute to the high background levels of cardiovascular risk.

     

Serum microminerals and the indices of lipid metabolism in an apparently healthy population

Serum copper and zinc concentrations were measured in 560 apparently healthy Kuwaitis (238 males and 322 females) aged 15-80 years to assess micromineral effect on the indices of lipid metabolism. Following the recommended guidelines of the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) and the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel (NCEPEP), the incidence of dyslipidemia was assessed from enzymatic assay data of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations. Males had significantly lower TC (P=0.029) and HDL-C (P<0.0001) levels than females, while TG were significantly (P=0.023) lower in females. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated LDL-C, and low HDL-C levels were 35, 30, 22, and 13%, respectively. Copper did not correlate with zinc (r = -0.067, P = 0.135) but was positively associated with TC (r=0.196, P<0.0001), LDL-C (r=0.134, P = 0.003), TG (r = 0.092, P=0.039), and age (r=0.281, P<0.0001). It is concluded that unlike in animal studies, copper excess in humans is associated with hyperlipidemia and therefore will predispose to atherosclerosis.     

Dyslipidemia and Its Therapeutic Challenges in Renal Transplantation

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in kidney transplant recipients. Dyslipidemia is a common finding after renal transplantation and a significant risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. Although a causal relationship with cardiovascular mortality has not been proven in the transplant population, it is reasonable to extrapolate data from the general population and aggressively treat posttransplant dyslipidemia. Statins are considered the agents of choice, though their use may be complicated by drug misadventures. Pravastatin, fluvastatin and pitavastatin are considered to be the safest statins to use in this population; however, given their low‐potency, a high‐potency statin, such as atorvastatin, may be necessary in patients with significant dyslipidemia. In this article, we discuss the etiology of and treatment strategies for dyslipidemia in renal transplant recipients based on a literature review of potential therapeutic adverse effects and benefits in this population. We will also evaluate the reasons for and consequences of the latest Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warnings regarding the use of simvastatin.     

Fructooligosaccharide enhanced absorption and anti-dyslipidemia capacity of tea flavonoids in high sucrose-fed mice

The ingestion of tea flavonoids (TF) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) contributes to anti-hyperlipidaemia. In the current study, TF or FOS or TF together with FOS were orally administrated to mice fed a high sucrose (HS) diet. UPLC-MS analyses showed that FOS significantly increased the concentrations of urine catechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate and gallocatechin gallate. The mice fed with HS for continuous 8?weeks exhibited severe dyslipidemia and abnormal liver fat accumulation. However, oral administration of FOS or TF or in combination significantly decreased the effects of HS on the serum total cholesterol, total triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein. Co-treatment of FOS and TF more effectively regulated lipid metabolism by inhibiting lipogenesis. Intake of TF together with FOS reduced the level of dyslipidemia marker (elaidic acid) by increasing anti-oxidative activity than treatments of FOS or TP alone in HS-fed mice. Histological observations of liver confirmed these health benefits.     

上海市嘉定区糖尿病高危人群血脂异常患病情况及影响因素研究

目的调查上海市嘉定区糖尿病高危人群血脂异常患病情况及影响因素。方法在上海市嘉定区13个街镇随机抽取3个街镇,再在抽中的街镇抽取3个居委作为研究现场,选取年龄30岁以上的常驻居民为调查对象。通过问卷调查和实验室检测收集调查对象的一般资料和实验室数据。结果本研究共调查糖尿病高危人群2 526人,其中男性1 055人,女性1 471人;糖尿病高危人群血脂异常患病率为31.43%(1项及以上血脂指标异常),高TC血症、高TG血症、低HDL-C血症和高LDL-C血症患病率分别为11.56%、13.42%、9.11%和14.89%。分层分析发现,不同年龄、性别、超重肥胖、腹型肥胖、血压异常的患者血脂异常比较,差异有统计学意义;血脂异常组的空腹静脉血糖和糖化血红蛋白值高于正常组,差异有统计学意义;logistic回归分析显示,超重肥胖、腹型肥胖、空腹静脉血糖和糖化血红蛋白是糖尿病高危人群血脂异常的危险因素。结论糖尿病高危人群应控制血糖和体重,以减少血脂异常和心血管事件的发生风险。     

活动期类风湿性关节炎患者血脂代谢特点分析

目的探讨类风湿性关节炎(RA)患者疾病活动对血脂代谢紊乱的影响。方法选择活动期RA患者42例(研究组)和非活动期RA患者66例(对照组)为研究对象,记录2组患者的一般资料、血脂水平、高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)及红细胞沉降率(ESR),比较2组患者的血脂成分差异,Pearson直线回归分析RA患者血脂代谢指标与hsCRP及ESR的相关性。结果研究组患者体质量指数(BMI)显著高于对照组(P<0.05);改善病情抗风湿病药物的应用率显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组患者高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)水平显著低于对照组的(P<0.01),总胆固醇(TC)/HDL-C显著高于对照组(P<0.05);2组患者三酰甘油(TG)、TC、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);研究组患者ESR、hs-CRP显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。RA患者血清HDL-C与hsCRP水平与ESR呈负相关(r=-0.574,P=0.000;r=-0.585,P=0.000);TC/HDL-C与hs-CRP水平和ESR呈正相关(r=0.425,P=0.001;r=0.382,P=0.020)。结论活动期RA患者血脂代谢紊乱特点以HDL-C降低为主,并与RA疾病活动密切相关,积极控制RA疾病活动,对预防RA患者心血管不良事件发生具有极其重要的意义。