Abstract 292: Baseline characteristics of patients starting on Niacin extended-release

Background: The lack of CV benefit in the recent AIM-HIGH clinical trial, where niacin was given on a background of statin treatment in patients with baseline lipids that were already well-controlled, led us to ask the question as to what are the baseline characteristics of real-world patients that physicians were starting on prescription Niacin extended-release (NER). Objectives: To evaluate, using a real-world database, the baseline characteristics of real-world patients started on niacin monotherapy or combination therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis using electronic medical records. Individuals receiving the first prescription for NER monotherapy or single pill statin-niacin combination (SPC) between July 2000-September 2011 were identified. The date of the first prescription was set as the index date. Patients were 18 years or older on index date, and during the six months prior to index date they had a lipid panel but had no prescription for NER or statin-niacin SPC. Patients were cla...