Fall 2021 LipidSpin Articles

JOSEPH J. SASEEN, PharmD, CLS, FNLA

President's Message: Visions of Inclusivity

To my fellow National Lipid Association members, I am pleased to present you the 2021 NELA/SELA edition of the LipidSpin. Society in general has made great strides in recent months towards improvement of racial and ethnic differences and disparities in our everyday lives. To answer the call to action, this edition of the LipidSpin steps up to the plate and discusses what Racial and Ethnic Differences and Disparities looks like in the field of lipidology. It will also feature the first NLA... more

EUGENIA GIANOS, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASE, FNLA*

From the NELA President: The NLA of Tomorrow

The theme of the current issue of LipidSpin is, “Racial and Ethnic Differences and Disparities in Lipidology”, a hot topic in medicine, but also a major focus of our National Lipid Association. Over the years, observational research has illuminated genetic and environmental factors related to race and ethnicity. An awareness of these differences allows us to better target lifestyle and medical therapies for our patients, but we have a lot more work to do. Increased enrollment of minorities... more

CASEY ELKINS, DNP, MEd, NP-C, CLS, FNLA*

From the SELA President: Being a Voice for Everyone

Our healthcare community, and society as a whole, have navigated significant challenges over the last year and a half related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Racial and ethnic differences and disparities as well as social determinants of health have continued to be trending topics in healthcare. The National Lipid Association has made significant attempts to address these issues and ensure the specific challenges related to the field of lipidology are highlighted and addressed. Further, the recent... more

LYNNE T. BRAUN, PhD, CNP, CLS, FAHA, FAANP, FPCNA, FAAN, FNLA*

Editor's Corner: A Sobering Look at Health Disparities

I grew up in Chicago and, for most of my career, I have practiced on the near Westside of Chicago. Although health disparities are prevalent in every large city, the life expectancy gap is particularly salient in Chicago. A resident of the downtown area has an 85-year life expectancy. However, just six miles away in West Garfield Park, life expectancy drops to 69 years.

Violence is certainly blamed for many of the premature deaths in Chicago. Yet it’s important to recognize that the... more

KEITH C. FERDINAND, MD, FACC, FAHA, FASPC, FNLA
TINA K. REDDY, MS

Clinical Feature: Racial and Ethnic Differences Associated with Disparities in Lipidology

Concept of Race/Ethnicity: A Social Construct

Increasingly, clinicians and public health officials recognize the need to pursue, and potentially achieve, health equity in the United States (US). In order to reduce and eliminate health disparities, our society must do more than offer health equality, which is providing the same resources regardless of needs. It is important that we do more and target areas of concern to achieve health equity. Specifically, health... more

MARWEN EID, MD
RACHEL NAHRWOLD, AGNP-BC
ANJORI DUNBAR, MD, FACC

EBM Tools for Practice: Risk Assesment Tools and Dietary Questionnaires

Risk assessment tools and lifestyle surveys can play a major role in screening patients for risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), allowing for early targeted interventions. It is known that race can greatly impact risk, yet it isn’t incorporated in all risk calculators. Similarly, as ethnicity and culture can influence lifestyle, culturally sensitive dietary surveys may better capture eating patterns. Here, we review how current risk scores and lifestyle questionnaires take... more

TASNIM F. IMRAN, MD, MPH
HAFIZ M. IMRAN, MD
KAREN E. ASPRY, MD, MS, FNLA*

Lipid Luminations: Understanding Differences in ASCVD Risk and Outcomes in South Asians

A greater prevalence of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and related-mortality are now well-recognized in South Asians living in the U.S. (SAUS), a fast-growing group that includes individuals from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan. In light of their elevated ASCVD risk, SA ancestry was recognized as a “risk enhancing factor” in the 2018 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Cholesterol Management Guideline.(1) A recently... more

KATHERINE MANOU, PharmD, BCACP
ROBERT BLOCK, MD, MPH, FACP, FNLA*

Practical Pearls: Tools for Alleviating Drug Disparities in Lipidology

The armamentarium for lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy is evolving. Though statins remain the cornerstone of treatment, and nearly all statins and ezetimibe are generic, recent and emerging therapies such as PCSK9 inhibitors, bempedoic acid, evinacumab, and inclisiran will pose significant challenges in patient access and affordability. When a prescription is sent to a patient’s pharmacy, there is a lot left to chance:

●    Will it need prior authorization?
●... more

ERICA KINDIG, MSN, FNP-BC, MS
CASEY ELKINS, DNP, MEd, NP-C, CLS, FNLA*

Case Study: Management of Hypertriglyceridemia in a Patient Considered an Undocumented Immigrant

Introduction
The management of elevated triglycerides is a means by which the burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
(ASCVD) may be reduced and the complication of pancreatitis may be prevented. Simultaneous reduction of significantly elevated triglycerides and non-HDL-C is often needed to mitigate the risk of pancreatitis and decrease
long term ASCVD risk. Secondary causes of elevated triglycerides include diet, medications, metabolic... more

MABEL CHAN, PharmD
SHANICE CORIOLAN, PharmD, BCPS
RODA PLAKOGIANNIS, BS, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, CLS, FNLA*

Specialty Corner: Differences in Statin Metabolism in East Asians

Elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) play a significant role in the development of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).(1) In clinical trials, reducing LDL-C to desired levels determined by the individuals’ cardiovascular risk factors and/or having established Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) has demonstrated a reduction in ASCVD related morbidity and mortality.(2)  According to the 2015-2018 National Health and Examination Survey, 11.4% of the... more

ANEESHA THOBANI, MD
MARLYS KOSCHINSKY, PhD, FNLA*
ANIRUDDHA SINGH, MD, FACC*
ZAHID AHMAD, MD
GINA LUNDBERG, MD

Guest Editorial: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Priorities for NLA Strategic Plan and Membership

What is DE&I equity?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are popular terms that can be bewildering and even dismissed by many. At the core, the principles of DE&I emphasize human diversity in all forms, fairness despite differences or disparities, and inclusivity of gender, age, race, sexual orientation, variety of thoughts, and religion. DE&I is important to membership, clinical care and research. Many organizations are expanding to include a DE... more

JAN L. MCALISTER, DNP, APRN, CLS, AACC, FNLA*

SELA Chapter Update: Renewed Hope

By the time this is published, NLA will have met in person for the first time in over a year and a half at the Scientific Sessions in Orlando. Finally able to see each other, this first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic brings renewed hope that our country will resume a more normal educational experience. SELA is honored to co-host this year’s Scientific Sessions with the NLA and jump start our learning for Fall 2021.

This issue of LipidSpin is a collaboration between SELA... more

LANEY K. JONES, PharmD, MPH, FNLA*

NELA Chapter Update: A Year of Virtual Gatherings and More Plans

The 2021 NELA Chapter is happy to co-sponsor this edition of the LipidSpin, along with our SELA colleagues, on Racial and Ethnic Differences and Disparities in Lipidology. The NELA Chapter Board would like to personally thank all NELA/SELA authors and contributors to this issue as well as the editors.

The NELA membership continues to grow and now includes over 500 lipid specialist colleagues. Special thanks to NELA Treasurer, Roda Plakogianis, PharmD, who helped register a... more

GINA LUNDBERG, MD

Member Spotlight: DE&I Spotlight

Q: Why do you support DE&I for NLA?

A: I feel very passionately about equal opportunities for inclusion. Having a diverse workforce will not only increase the talent pool in healthcare, it will improve healthcare culture, improve both provider and patient satisfaction and provide better patient centered care. I am dedicated to equity in access, promotion, leadership, research funding, publications and pay for all physicians, residents, and healthcare providers.... more

JAMES A. UNDERBERG, MD, MS, FACPM, FACP, FNYAM, FASPC, FNLA*

Foundation of the NLA Update: Embarking on a New Journey

Greetings fellow NLA members, I am honored and privileged to write you as the new president of the Foundation of the National Lipid Association. The Mission of the Foundation is to improve the welfare of patients and families affected by cholesterol and triglyceride problems. The Vision of the Foundation is for informed and healthy communities empowered through awareness, education, advocacy, and equality. To accomplish this, our organization seeks to drive education and accessibility home,... more

LOBA ALAM, MD

2021 Foundation of the NLA Donald B. Hunninghake, MD Familial Hypercholesterolemia Abstract Award Winner: Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia using Epic Secure Chat as Educational Outreach

DEBAPRIYA BASU, PhD

2021 Foundation of the NLA Young Investigator Abstract Award Winner: Evidence of Direct Hepatic Secretion of Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) in Mice