Treating raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in adults below 40 years of age with statins appears to be highly cost-effective in men, and intermediately cost-effective among women, suggested a new study published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

A simulated model based on data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) revealed that decreasing lipid levels with statins or lifestyle interventions in this age group would result in prevention or reduction of the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and help improve quality of life in later years.

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were found to be $31,000/QALY for statin treatment in young adult men having LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL, and $106,000/QALY for statin treatment in young women having LDL-C level of ≥130 mg/dL… (Medscape)