Last week, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute revealed that a National Institute of Health-supported study found that statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV by more than a third, potentially preventing one in five major cardiovascular events or premature deaths in this population. The double-blinded phase 3 trial, known as the REPRIEVE study, involved 7,769 adults from 12 countries, and the researchers discovered that participants who took daily pitavastatin had 35% fewer major cardiovascular events and a 30% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels compared to those who took a placebo.
“This research suggests that statins may provide an accessible, cost-effective measure to improve the cardiovascular health and quality of life for people living with HIV. Additional research can further expand on this effect, while providing a roadmap to rapidly translate research findings into clinical practice,” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Director Gary H. Gibbons said,
According to a press release issued on July 24, Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, may reduce the high risk of cardiovascular disease in people with HIV by more than a third, potentially preventing one in five major cardiovascular events or premature deaths in this population, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health. Heart disease risk can increase by 50–100% for HIV-positive individuals. The New England Journal of Medicine reports the findings. The Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) study, a double-blinded phase 3 trial, randomly assigned participants to either a treatment group that received a daily statin, in this case pitavastatin calcium, or a control group that received a placebo pill with no medication. After nearly five years of participant monitoring, the researchers decided to conclude the experiment early because they had found that the advantages of the medication surpassed any possible hazards.
The researchers examined the frequency of significant cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, or surgery to open a blocked artery, among people in each group to determine the advantages. Pitavastatin users had 35% fewer significant cardiovascular events than those who took a placebo, according to the study's findings. The number of deaths combined with significant cardiovascular events was also counted during the study period, and the researchers discovered that participants in the treatment group had these events 21% less frequently than those in the placebo group. Pitavastatin users also experienced a 30% drop in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels.
The study's participants had to have healthy liver and kidney function in order to promote their best health outcomes. Antiretroviral medication was also required of them, which is essential in lowering the risk of HIV-related diseases and associated comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease. Beginning in 2015, REPRIEVE enrolled 7,769 adults (aged 40 to 75) from 145 locations across 12 nations. The study's adult participants had low-to-moderate cardiovascular disease risks and an average age of 50, therefore statins were not typically administered to them. Participants made up 31% of women. The majority of survey participants—41%—identified as Black, followed by white—35%, Asian—15%, and others—9%. The researchers stated that more research is necessary to ascertain how these findings may affect recommendations for the treatment of HIV-positive individuals.
