Recommendations for statin and combination treatment in adults with diabetes
| Age | ASCVD or 10-year ASCVD risk >20% | Recommended statin intensity^ and combination treatment* |
|---|---|---|
| <40 years | No | None† |
| Yes | High | |
| • In patients with ASCVD, if LDL cholesterol ≥70 mg/dL despite maximally tolerated statin dose, consider adding additional LDL-lowering therapy (such as ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitor)# | ||
| ≥40 years | No | Moderate‡ |
| Yes | High | |
| • In patients with ASCVD, if LDL cholesterol ≥70 mg/dL despite maximally tolerated statin dose, consider adding additional LDL-lowering therapy (such as ezetimibe or PCSK9 inhibitor) |
ASCVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease; PCSK9, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9.
↵* In addition to lifestyle therapy.
↵^ For patients who do not tolerate the intended intensity of statin, the maximally tolerated statin dose should be used.
↵† Moderate-intensity statin may be considered based on risk-benefit profile and presence of ASCVD risk factors. ASCVD risk factors include LDL cholesterol ≥100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L), high blood pressure, smoking, chronic kidney disease, albuminuria, and family history of premature ASCVD.
↵‡ High-intensity statin may be considered based on risk-benefit profile and presence of ASCVD risk factors. #Adults aged <40 years with prevalent ASCVD were not well represented in clinical trials of non-statin–based LDL reduction. Before initiating combination lipid-lowering therapy, consider the potential for further ASCVD risk reduction, drug-specific adverse effects, and patient preferences.