A new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has previously shown that the polypill is beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes and reducing deaths in people with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. This supported the research results. In this meta-analysis, the polypills studied contained at least one statin (cholesterol-lowering drug) and at least one blood pressure-lowering drug.

It was long ago shown that taking a single pill containing a combination of drugs that target symptoms related to cardiovascular disease lowers the risk of death from causes such as heart attack and stroke. The concept of using such “polypills” for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was introduced almost 25 years ago. Shortly thereafter, this strategy became the focus of semen modeling studies promoting polypills to reduce cardiovascular disease at a population level. Yet, even after many years and a body of supporting research, the use of such pills remains low around the world.

Now, a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis reinforces previous findings and shows that the polypill prevents heart attacks and strokes and deaths in people with cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. provides additional evidence that it is beneficial in reducing . As a result of research, the World Health Organization (WHO) has added such polypills to its updated model list of essential medicines. This list includes medicines that are considered key to public health because of their importance, safety, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness in treating common diseases.

The study was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

The important thing here is that the polypill is effective. And if the polypill were widely accepted and used to prevent cardiovascular disease, we would be in a far better position to equitably reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease around the world. This strategy simplifies treatment options, replaces multiple drugs with a single pill, and has the potential to be affordable, potentially expanding access across economic levels around the world. ”

Anubha Agarwal, MD, first author, assistant professor of medicine, cardiovascular division

Researchers performed a systematic analysis of data collected from 26 clinical trials. This data synthesizes the efficacy of polypills in preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. To be included in the analysis, trials had to evaluate polypills containing at least one statin (cholesterol-lowering drug) and at least one blood pressure-lowering drug.

The analysis found that polypills had an 11% lower risk of death from any cause compared to people who did not take the polypill, and an 11% lower risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events compared to people who did not take the polypill. was found to be associated with 29% lower

“These findings support the adoption and implementation of the polypill to reduce the risk of all-cause mortality from cardiovascular disease,” Agarwal said.

Researchers also found that polypill use was associated with lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and lower systolic blood pressure. Systolic blood pressure is the first number in a blood pressure measurement that shows the pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats. Some people who have used Polypill have experienced side effects such as muscle pain and cough.

Agarwal and his colleagues called for data to determine whether widespread use of the polypill should be encouraged to prevent cardiovascular disease. This review was the basis for the research team’s successful application to the WHO to include the polypill on the WHO’s 23rd Model Essential Medicines List for the primary and secondary prevention of high-risk cardiovascular diseases.

WHO approval could increase the willingness of governments and international organizations to fund such polypills and encourage health care providers to prescribe them. Agarwal said the decision could ultimately improve global access to the polypill, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Agarwal said one reason polypills have not been widely adopted is that companies have no incentive to invest in producing polypills, including generic drugs, even though the potential benefit to public health is large. Ta.

“The field of polypills will continue to evolve,” said Mark D. Huffman, MD, lead author of the study and professor of medicine. “The next challenge is to learn how to best implement and sustain the use of the polypill to prevent millions of heart attacks and strokes each year.”