PATIENT JOURNEY AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS’ PERSPECTIVES OF INFLAMMATION IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Abstract

Therapeutic Area

CVD Prevention – Primary and Secondary

Background

Few surveys have focused on the patient journey in the management of secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or healthcare professionals’ (HCP) perspectives on the role of systemic inflammation in ASCVD.

Methods

This 30-minute, self-administered, IRB-exempt, US survey was conducted between June 7 to August 6, 2024. It comprised ASCVD patients (n=200) self-diagnosed with myocardial infarction (n=61), stroke (n=72), or peripheral artery disease (n=67), and HCPs (n=204), including cardiologists, cardiology specialists, and cardiology nurse practitioners or physicians’ assistants.

Results

Patient participants were aged 19 to 75 years, 58% male, and primarily White (74%) or Black/African American (18%) and diagnosed with ASCVD 3 months to 5 years earlier. Most common comorbidities in ASCVD patients according to HCPs were hyperlipidemia (60%), hypertension (56%), obesity (44%), and diabetes (38%). According to HCPs, ASCVD patients most often were receiving statins (78%) and antiplatelet therapy (65%). Only 18% of ASCVD patients believed their treatment was working extremely well; 82% reported persistent symptoms, including chest pain (28%), issues walking (28%), or breathing issues and/or cough (26%). Most HCPs (87%) believed that a residual CV risk remained after modifying traditional risk factors in ASCVD. Approximately 66% of HCPs agreed that systemic inflammation is a key underlying cause of ASCVD and not sufficiently addressed by current treatments, and 58% reported being satisfied with current ASCVD treatments. Approximately 30% of cardiologists sampled often or always test for hsCRP, and of those, 79% did so due to the presence or suspicion of an inflammatory comorbidity. Most HCPs (61%) agreed with the statement that IL-1 and IL-6 are not routinely tested in ASCVD patients and are not included in guidelines or considered standard of care.

Conclusions

Unmet needs remain, and gaps exist in diagnosing and managing systemic inflammation in ASCVD patients. Most patients reported persistent symptoms and only ∼20% believed their treatment was working well. 66% of HCPs believed systemic inflammation is not sufficiently addressed by current treatments.