Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39343641›Full record

SynthesisAtherosclerosis2025

Efficacy and safety of statins, ezetimibe and statins-ezetimibe therapies for children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia: Systematic review, pairwise and network meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials.

Alexis Llewellyn, Mark Simmonds, David Marshall, Melissa Harden, Beth Woods, Steve E Humphries, Uma Ramaswami, Lorraine Priestley-Barnham, Mark Fisher, Laila J Tata and 1 more

Abstract readSystematic ReviewNetwork Meta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Atherosclerosis, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Guideline
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Review
  7. Observational
  8. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Alexis LlewellynCentre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK. Electronic address: alexis.llewellyn@york.ac.uk.
Mark SimmondsCentre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK.
David MarshallCentre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK.
Melissa HardenCentre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, UK.
Beth WoodsCentre for Health Economics, University of York, UK.
Steve E HumphriesCentre for Cardiovascular Genetics, University College London, UK.
Uma RamaswamiRoyal Free Hospital and Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University College London, UK.
Lorraine Priestley-BarnhamRoyal Brompton and Harefield Hospital, Guy's and St Thomas NHS Trust, UK.
Mark Fisher
Laila J TataLifespan and Population Health Unit and Centre for Perinatal Research, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK.
Nadeem QureshiNIHR School of Primary Care Research, University of Nottingham, UK.

Funding

British Heart Foundation RG08/008
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND

aimsStatins, ezetimibe and statins-ezetimibe combination therapy are recommended lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) in children with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH). However, their relative effectiveness is not well understood. We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of these therapies using direct and indirect comparisons.

methodsWe conducted systematic review, pairwise and network meta-analyses (NMAs) of randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) of statins, ezetimibe and statins-ezetimibe combination therapy in people <18 years with HeFH. Comprehensive bibliographic searches were conducted in December 2022, and a Medline update in January 2024. NMA models accounted for drug class, statin type and dosage.

resultsThirteen RCTs were included (n = 1649, median age 13 years, follow-up 6 weeks-2 years). All LLTs reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol; statins led to increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reductions in triglycerides. Statins reduced LDL-C by 33.61 % against placebo (95 % CI 27.58 to 39.63, I

conclusionsStatins, ezetimibe and statins-ezetimibe are all effective treatments for children with HeFH, but the magnitude of LDL-C reductions varies and may depend on treatment dosage and combination. No safety or tolerability issues were found. Longer-term safety and effectiveness are uncertain.

Indexed as

Anticholesteremic AgentsEzetimibeHydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase InhibitorsHyperlipoproteinemia Type IIAdolescentChildCholesterol, LDLDrug Therapy, CombinationFemaleHeterozygoteHumansMaleRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicTreatment OutcomeAnticholesteremic AgentsCholesterol, LDLEzetimibeHydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase InhibitorsAdolescentsChildrenEzetimibeFamilial hypercholesterolaemiaNetwork meta-analysisStatinsSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID39343641
PMCPMC11811749

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.