The Study
Ldl-cholesterol reduction with PCSK9 inhibitors: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
This study combines results from several well-designed experiments where people were randomly assigned to get PCSK9 drugs or not. It shows that these drugs really do lower bad cholesterol (LDL-C), and it's one of the strongest types of proof we have in medicine.
Analysis score
Maximum 100 for a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Where the score came from
These medicines help lower bad cholesterol in people, even if they're already taking other cholesterol drugs.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 520 / 100
Quality score
The highest quality evidence. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses that pool randomized controlled trials, giving the most reliable summary of experimental evidence.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes, this is a big drop in bad cholesterol, which can help protect the heart.
- 2PCSK9 inhibitors can lower LDL cholesterol by up to 81% when added to statins.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Atherosclerosis
Year
2017
Authors
M. Casula, L. Scotti, O. Bernocchi, F. Galimberti, E. Tragni, G. Corrao, A. Catapano
Related Content
Claims (4)
Adding PCSK9 drugs to cholesterol-lowering statins can slash bad cholesterol by as much as 81% in people with high cholesterol.
These cholesterol drugs, called PCSK9 inhibitors, probably help lower bad cholesterol in many types of patients — more than fake pills or other cholesterol medicines.
PCSK9 inhibitors can help lower bad cholesterol, either when added to other treatments or used instead of them.
These cholesterol drugs work well for lots of different people, even if they're already taking other meds for high cholesterol.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.