An international multicenter study that was conducted at the University of Cincinnati was stopped early after research demonstrated that a daily statin medication reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV.
A planned interim analysis of data from the Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV (REPRIEVE) study found that participants who took pitavastatin calcium lowered their risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 35% compared with those receiving a placebo.
REPRIEVE is the first large-scale clinical study to test a primary cardiovascular prevention strategy for people living with HIV.
Adverse drug events observed in the study were comparable to those in the general population taking statin therapy. The interim analysis was sufficiently compelling that the study's independent Data Safety and Monitoring Board (DSMB) recommended it be stopped early given adequate evidence of efficacy. The National Institutes of Health accepted the DSMB recommendations.
Study participants are being notified of the findings and will continue to be monitored for several months. Study results from the DSMB review are expected to be published in the coming weeks.
