Long-Term Benefit of Early Statin Therapy for Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Improved low-density lipoprotein levels and reduced cardiovascular event risk were shown after 20 years of statin treatment in children with FH.

The long-term benefit of initiating early statin therapy in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is unknown. Now, researchers report outcomes 20 years after statin therapy initiation at ages 8 to 18 years (mean age, 14 years) in 184 patients with FH. Mean age at follow-up was 32 years. Comparison groups were 77 unaffected siblings and 156 affected parents.

At 20-year follow-up, results were as follows:

Most (79%) of the participants with FH reported still taking statins.
Mean LDL cholesterol level was 161 mg/dL (down from 237 mg/dL at study start) compared with 121 mg/dL in unaffected siblings.
Mean progression of carotid artery intima-media thickness was not different between participants with FH and their unaffected siblings.
Among…

Reviewing Author

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

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Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

F. Bruder Stapleton, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardCareer Physician

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesAmerican Society of Pediatric Nephrology Foundation (Chair)

Long-Term Benefit of Early Statin Therapy for Familial Hypercholesterolemia

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Reviewing Author