Association of PCSK9 Inhibitor Initiation on Statin Adherence and Discontinuation.

Background PCSK9is (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors) are well tolerated, potently lower cholesterol, and decrease cardiovascular events when added to statins. However, statin adherence may decrease after PCSK9i initiation and alter clinical outcomes. We evaluate the association of PCSK9i initiation on statin discontinuation and adherence. Methods and Results In this retrospective pre-post difference-in-difference analysis, new PCSK9i claims were propensity matched with statin-alone users (April 2017-September 2019). The primary outcomes were statin adherence (proportion of days covered) and statin discontinuation (absence of statin coverage for at least 60 days) 12 months following PCSK9i initiation. Secondary outcomes included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after 1 year. A total of 220 538 statin users and 700 PCSK9i users were identified, from which 178 on PCSK9i were included and matched to 712 on statins alone. At 12 months, mean statin proportion of days covered decreased from 67% to 48% in the PCSK9i group but increased from 68% to 86% in the statin-alone groups (P<0.0001). Statin discontinuation rates increased from 11% to 39% in the PCSK9i group and from 7% to 9% in the statin-alone group (P=0.0041). Patients with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <70 mg/dL increased from 5% to 68% with PCSK9i but increased from 16% to 24% with statins alone (P<0.0001). Changes in hospitalization rates were similar between both groups during the follow-up period. Conclusions PCSK9i initiation was associated with decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher statin discontinuation, and reduced statin adherence.

Tolerability of mycophenolate mofetil in elderly kidney transplant recipients: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal immunosuppression in elderly kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is not well defined, with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) being poorly tolerated. Study aim was to compare MMF dose reduction incidence and reason(s) in elderly vs. nonelderly KTRs in the 1st year after transplant with a protocol dose of 1 g/day. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, first or repeat KTRs receiving rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG), MMF 1 g/day, tacrolimus, and prednisone, were stratified by age [≥60 (elderly) or <60 years (nonelderly)]. Primary outcome was MMF dose reduction incidence in the first year. Secondary outcomes included dose reduction rationale, 1-year patient and graft survival, graft function, rejection, infection, hospital presentation, and time to dose reduction. Of 335 KTRs, dose reduction incidence was significantly greater in the elderly group (66% and 54%, p = 0.04), though this did not remain significant when adjusted for sex, race, and valganciclovir use. Most common rationale was leukopenia in the elderly group and CMV in the nonelderly group. There were no significant differences in secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Mycophenolate mofetil 1 g/day was poorly tolerated in both elderly and nonelderly KTRs receiving lymphocyte-depleting induction with a high incidence of dose reductions; however, no short-term adverse graft outcomes were identified.