PAD patients less likely to take statins despite ASCVD risk

USA: PD patients are less likely to take statins than those with CHD or cerebrovascular disease despite having a high risk for ASCVD events, suggests a recent study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. According to the study, ASCVD risk-reduction interventions including statin therapy are warranted in patients with PAD.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. Lisandro D. Colantonio, Department of Epidemiology, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, and colleagues compared the risk for ASCVD events and the use of statins among patients with PAD versus those with coronary heart disease (CHD) or cerebrovascular disease.

The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults age≥19 years. 943,232 patients included had a commercial or Medicare health insurance with a history of PAD, CHD, or cerebrovascular disease on December 31, 2014. Patients were followed for ASCVD events comprising CHD, cerebrovascular disease, and PAD events until December 31, 2017. 

"Despite having high risk for ASCVD events, patients with PAD were less likely to be taking a statin versus those with CHD or cerebrovascular disease. ASCVD risk-reduction interventions including statin therapy in patients with PAD are warranted," concluded the authors.

The study, "Atherosclerotic Risk and Statin Use Among Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease," is published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.05.048