OBJECTIVES: To quantify the public health and broader economic gains from cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia in Greek population.

METHODS: Economic assessment alongside a large multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (REDUCE-IT). Discounted, at 3%, broader economic outcomes were estimated to evaluate the socioeconomic and fiscal gains from cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia versus placebo. Mortality and morbidity gains were translated into socioeconomic gains by estimating the present value of averted loss of lifetime income, averted absenteeism, and hospitalization costs. The corresponding fiscal gains were averted tax revenue loss and prevented disability pensions. Targeted literature searches were conducted to identify evidence on the impact of cardiovascular events on employment, retirement and disability. Economic data were obtained from official sources.

RESULTS: Treating 132,037 patients with mean age of 64 years with icosapent ethyl is estimated to prevent 4,549 cardiovascular events (myocardial infarctions or strokes) and 261 deaths annually. This public health benefits translates into 132 productive life years (PLYs) gained, averted 14,954 days of absenteeism, and avoidance of 43 disability cases. The projected lifetime socioeconomic and fiscal gains of icosapent ethyl for cardiovascular risk reduction are estimated at €125.5 million and €62.1 million, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Effective cholesterol-lowering treatment of cardiovascular risk reduction may generate public health, socioeconomic and fiscal gains, promoting population’s health and the sustainability of tax-financed healthcare systems.