Awareness and early implementation of the European AIDS Clinical Society Guidance on statin use in HIV for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A cross‐sectional survey of HIV clinicians in Europe

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major comorbidity and leading cause of morbidity and mortality in people with HIV (PWH). The REPRIEVE trial demonstrated that statin therapy significantly reduces cardiovascular events in PWH, prompting updated recommendations from major international societies. We assessed awareness and early implementation of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) statin guidance among HIV clinicians in Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey among members of the EACS Young Investigators Network Group (YING). The questionnaire evaluated clinician characteristics, reported awareness and implementation of statin guidance, cardiovascular risk assessment practices, prescribing patterns and perceived barriers. Descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of 125 individuals invited to take part in the survey, 22 (18%) physicians from multiple European countries responded. All respondents were aware of the EACS statin guidance, and 91% reported that it influenced clinical practice. Cardiovascular risk was routinely assessed by most clinicians (77% always or often), with HIV physicians primarily responsible for statin prescribing (59%). Structural barriers reported included reimbursement limitations, fragmented care pathways and patient-level barriers, such as low perceived CVD risk and statin hesitancy. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of EACS statin guidance among this cohort of HIV clinicians in Europe who are YING members is reported as high, but implementation gaps remain. Addressing structural and patient-level barriers and improving guideline implementation will be essential to optimize CVD prevention in PWH.