Characteristics of patients with diabetes and a history of myocardial infarction initiating PCSK9 and SGLT2 inhibitors.

Study Objective: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in patients with diabetes and ASCVD. We assessed factors associated with initiating either medication among patients with diabetes and a prior myocardial infarction (MI).

Setting/participants: US adults ≥19 years old with private health insurance (MarketScan) or government health insurance (Medicare) who had diabetes and a prior MI and initiated a PCSK9i or an SGLT2i in 2017 or 2018.

Main Outcome Measures: PCSK9i or SGLT2i initiation was identified using pharmacy claims.

Results: Overall, 8102 patients initiated a PCSK9i (n = 1501; 18.5%) or an SGLT2i (n = 6601; 81.5%). Patients with 2 and ≥3 versus 1 prior MI (risk ratio [RR]: 1.32 [95%CI: 1.17-1.48] and 1.68 [1.41-2.01], respectively), prior coronary revascularization (1.47 [1.31-1.64]), prior stroke (1.28 [1.06-1.56]), history of peripheral artery disease (1.27 [1.14-1.41]), receiving cardiologist care (1.51 [1.36-1.67]) or taking ezetimibe (2.57 [2.35-2.82]) were more likely to initiate a PCSK9i versus an SGLT2i. Patients with a history of short-term (RR 1.07 [95%CI 1.05-1.09]) or long-term (1.07 [1.04-1.09]) diabetes complications, and taking a low/moderate- and high-intensity statin dosage (1.61 [1.51-1.70] and 1.68 [1.58-1.77], respectively) were more likely to initiate an SGLT2i versus a PCSK9i. Among patients who initiated a PCSK9i, 2.9% subsequently initiated an SGLT2i; 0.8% who initiated an SGLT2i subsequently initiated a PCSK9i.

Conclusion: The decision to initiate PCSK9i or SGLT2i is explained by having very high cardiovascular disease risk for those initiating PCSK9i and diabetes complications for those initiating SGLT2i.