Ben‐Joseph, Rami

Abstract Study Objectives Narcolepsy is associated with cardiovascular risk factors; however, the risk of new-onset cardiovascular events in this population is unknown. This real-world study evaluated the excess risk of new-onset cardiovascular events in U.S. adults with narcolepsy. Methods A retrospective cohort study using IBM MarketScan administrative claims data (2014–2019) was conducted. A narcolepsy cohort, comprising adults (≥18 years) with at least two outpatient claims containing a narcolepsy diagnosis, of which at least one was non-diagnostic, was matched to a non-narcolepsy control cohort (1:3) based on cohort entry date, age, sex, geographic region, and insurance type. The relative risk of new-onset cardiovascular events was estimated using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to compute adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The narcolepsy and matched non-narcolepsy control cohorts included 12 816 and 38 441 individuals, respectively. At baseline, cohort demographics were generally similar; however, patients with narcolepsy had more comorbidities. In adjusted analyses, the risk of new-onset cardiovascular events was higher in the narcolepsy cohort compared with the control cohort: any stroke (HR [95% CI], 1.71 [1.24, 2.34]); heart failure (1.35 [1.03, 1.76]); ischemic stroke (1.67 [1.19, 2.34]); major adverse cardiac event (1.45 [1.20, 1.74]); grouped instances of stroke, atrial fibrillation, or edema (1.48 [1.25, 1.74]); and cardiovascular disease (1.30 [1.08, 1.56]). Conclusion Individuals with narcolepsy are at increased risk of new-onset cardiovascular events compared with individuals without narcolepsy. Physicians should consider cardiovascular risk in patients with narcolepsy when weighing treatment options.

Abstract Introduction Narcolepsy is a rare, lifelong disorder that requires long-term treatment and is associated with multiple comorbidities, including cardiovascular conditions. Many available treatments have cardiovascular-related warnings and precautions in their labels. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of cardiovascular comorbidities in adult patients with a narcolepsy diagnosis in the US. Methods Claims from IBM® MarketScan®, an administrative claims database, between January 2014 and June 2019 were analyzed. Eligible patients were ≥18 years and had continuous medical and prescription coverage (gaps <30 days allowed). The narcolepsy cohort was defined by ≥2 outpatient claims containing a diagnosis of narcolepsy type 1 or type 2 on separate days and no more than 6 months apart, with ≥1 non-diagnostic office-visit. Non-narcolepsy patients were matched 3:1 to narcolepsy patients by calendar date of cohort entry, age, gender, US geographic region, and insurance type. Each incidence calculation required a 6 month wash-out period prior to cohort entry. Differences between cohorts were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for age, gender, region, insurance type, and relevant morbidities/comorbidities and medications in the baseline period. Results Of 54,239,110 adults in the database, 12,816 and 38,441 were included in the narcolepsy and matched non-narcolepsy cohort. Approximately 67% were female patients and mean age was approximately 38 years in both cohorts. Incidence rates (per 1,000 person-years) for newly recorded cardiovascular comorbidities or events in narcolepsy/non-narcolepsy were: CVD without hypertension (13.29/7.99), MACE+ (11.75/6.86), heart failure (5.72/3.41), stroke (4.28/2.17), ischemic stroke (3.69/1.91), edema (9.84/4.22), and a composite of stroke, atrial fibrillation, and edema (17.73/8.88). Conclusion Physicians should consider the increased cardiovascular risk when considering risk modification strategies and treatment options for narcolepsy patients. Further research is needed to understand treatment-specific risks. Support (if any) Jazz Pharmaceuticals