Statin Intolerance in Clinical Practice.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In our pilot study, we aimed to determine how many patients with the statin intolerance history referred to the specialized center for the diagnostics and treatment of lipoprotein metabolism disorders really suffer from a complete statin intolerance. The purpose of the study was to prove that complete statin intolerance is overestimated and overdiagnosed, and with the detailed knowledge of the issue and patient approach, it is possible to find an appropriate statin treatment for the most of patients. RECENT FINDINGS: With the increasing number of statin users worldwide, the issue of statin intolerance has been a frequently discussed topic in recent years. There are many factors that play a role in the manifestation of statin intolerance (predisposing factors as age, sex, and some diseases), genetic factors leading to a different metabolism, drug-drug interactions, psychological reasons, and the negative influence of the mass media. However, it is estimated that true complete statin intolerance, defined by an intolerance of at least three statins at their usual lowest daily doses, occurs in approximately 3-6% of all statin users. In our pilot study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 300 patients who were referred to the Center of Preventive Cardiology with a history of statin intolerance. During the follow-up treatment, 222 patients (74%) were able to use some statin (rosu-, atorva-, simva-, fluvastatin), and in 21% of the cases (63 patient), the target values according their CV risk level were even achieved. Only 78 patients (26%) were confirmed as being complete statin intolerant following a thorough therapeutic effort. The most tolerated statin was rosuvastatin.

Diagnosis of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia on First Sight? The Role of the Ophthalmologist in Identifying Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolaemia.

Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is the most common congenital metabolic disorder characterised by the accumulation of lipid particles in the vascular wall thereby leading to premature development of atherosclerosis. It is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to premature death in a cardiovascular event already in the third or fourth decade of life. According to recent studies, the frequency of heterozygotes in the general population is 1: 250, suggesting that there may be up to 40,000 of these patients in the Czech Republic alone. In terms of capturing FH, the Czech Republic belongs to the most successful countries in the world; however, most patients remain undiagnosed. It is essential that these individuals be actively sought for and manifestation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevented. There is a therapeutic option that is effective, safe and affordable. The MedPed (Make early diagnosis to Prevent early deaths) project network and a large number of physicians involved in the project represent an effective approach to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with FH. Even though a large proportion of patients with FH are asymptomatic until the manifestation of CVD, it is possible to diagnose FH using a biochemical examination together with a family history. In some patients, it is also possible to identify clinical signs of the disease. Typical ophthalmologic findings include arcus lipoides corneae and xanthelasma palpebrarum. While these are non-specific symptoms, especially if they occur in patients under 50 years of age, they should prompt examination of lipid spectrum parameters. Every patient with (or suspected) familial hypercholesterolaemia should be referred to one of the workplaces of the MedPed project network. Key words: familial hypercholesterolaemia, MedPed, atherosclerosis, xanthelasma palpebrarum, arcus lipoides corneae.