Comorbidity in lipoprotein apheresis: Their role in the era of new lipid-lowering therapies

Background

Despite advance in pharmacotherapy of lipid disorders, lipoprotein apheresis (LA) plays a leading role in the management of severe hypercholesterolemia and in atherosclerosis prevention.

Methods

Aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), presence of major comorbidity, and/or concomitant polypharmacy (definite as 5+ drugs daily) in patients with inherited dyslipidemias on chronic LA.

Results

Since 1994, we performed more than 500 LA treatment/year and followed a total of 83 patients (age 56 [47–65] years, male 75%). In subjects with more than 5 years of LA treatment (38 patients, age 54 [45–62] years, male 66%), at the end of the observation time (9 [7–16] years), patients had higher CCI, polypharmacy, anemia, heart failure, peptic ulcer disease, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Discussion

Even in the era of new lipid-lowering therapies, the LA treatment established itself as a safe and lifesaving intervention. Patients on chronic LA require a multidisciplinary approach to address their comorbidity and the apheresis unit's medical staff (doctors and nurses) play a pivotal role creating a bridge toward the general practitioner and other specialists for overcoming clinical issues.