Clinical Utilization and Performance of Bempedoic Acid in an Italian Real-World Setting: Insight from Campania Region

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Bempedoic acid (BA) is a novel lipid-lowering agent that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and cardiovascular events. Limited real-world data on its effectiveness and safety are available. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization and clinical performance of BA in routine clinical practice. Moreover, an explorative pharmacoeconomic analysis was performed. <b>Methods</b>: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with dyslipidemia who started 180 mg BA, alone or with 10 mg ezetimibe, across five outpatient clinics in Campania Region, Italy from September to December 2023. Clinical and laboratory assessments, including lipid profile, hepatic function, and creatine phosphokinase levels, were performed at baseline and at least after one month follow-up. Side effects were recorded. <b>Results</b>: 111 patients (age 65 ± 9 years, 61% male) were included. At BA initiation, 70.3% were on maximally tolerated statin dosage and ezetimibe, 16.2% on ezetimibe alone, and 13.5% on PCSK9 inhibitors due to statin intolerance. BA significantly reduced LDL-c serum levels (89.9 ± 33.0 vs. 56 ± 27.6 mg/dL; <i>p</i> < 0.0001), with 46% achieving therapeutic targets. LDL-c decreased by 28% in patients on intensive statins/ezetimibe and by 45% in statin-intolerant patients, with reduced healthcare costs. Side effects were infrequent (10%) and reversible. Adherence was 99%, and persistence 90%. <b>Conclusions</b>: In our clinical pratice, BA was primarily used in high-risk patients with dyslipidemia who failed to reach LDL-c therapeutic target with statins/ezetimibe, and to a lesser extent, in statin-intolerant individuals. BA treatment enabled 54% to reach LDL-c therapeutic target. BA was well tolerated, and showed high adherence and persistence, contributing to cost savings.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-03-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14061839
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
8.03
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article

Clinical Utilization and Performance of Bempedoic Acid in an Italian Real-World Setting: Insight from Campania Region

Vincenzo Russo, Mario Crisci, Fortunato Scotto di Uccio, Giovanni Napolitano et al.
4 citations
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
8.03
article

Clinical Utilization and Performance of Bempedoic Acid in an Italian Real-World Setting: Insight from Campania Region

Vincenzo Russo, Mario Crisci, Fortunato Scotto di Uccio, Giovanni Napolitano, Luigi Argenziano, Antonio Parrella, Alfredo Caturano, Giuseppe Covetti, Gennaro Izzo, G Ratti, Riccardo Franco, Aldo De Falco
article en
4 citations

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Bempedoic acid (BA) is a novel lipid-lowering agent that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and cardiovascular events. Limited real-world data on its effectiveness and safety are available. This study aimed to evaluate the utilization and clinical performance of BA in routine clinical practice. Moreover, an explorative pharmacoeconomic analysis was performed. <b>Methods</b>: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with dyslipidemia who started 180 mg BA, alone or with 10 mg ezetimibe, across five outpatient clinics in Campania Region, Italy from September to December 2023. Clinical and laboratory assessments, including lipid profile, hepatic function, and creatine phosphokinase levels, were performed at baseline and at least after one month follow-up. Side effects were recorded. <b>Results</b>: 111 patients (age 65 ± 9 years, 61% male) were included. At BA initiation, 70.3% were on maximally tolerated statin dosage and ezetimibe, 16.2% on ezetimibe alone, and 13.5% on PCSK9 inhibitors due to statin intolerance. BA significantly reduced LDL-c serum levels (89.9 ± 33.0 vs. 56 ± 27.6 mg/dL; <i>p</i> < 0.0001), with 46% achieving therapeutic targets. LDL-c decreased by 28% in patients on intensive statins/ezetimibe and by 45% in statin-intolerant patients, with reduced healthcare costs. Side effects were infrequent (10%) and reversible. Adherence was 99%, and persistence 90%. <b>Conclusions</b>: In our clinical pratice, BA was primarily used in high-risk patients with dyslipidemia who failed to reach LDL-c therapeutic target with statins/ezetimibe, and to a lesser extent, in statin-intolerant individuals. BA treatment enabled 54% to reach LDL-c therapeutic target. BA was well tolerated, and showed high adherence and persistence, contributing to cost savings.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(6)
University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT), Ospedale San Giovanni Bosco (IT), Villa Pineta Hospital (IT), Ospedale Monaldi (IT)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
8.03
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