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Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
[When and how do we treat our hypercholesterolemic patients?]
S Bonet1, I García Villena, P Tomás Santos
1Departamento de Farmacología, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
Insights
Hypercholesterolaemia (HC) treatment decisions were analyzed. In primary prevention, many patients received medication without clear cardiovascular risk, while secondary prevention aligned better with guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Hypercholesterolaemia (HC) is a significant cardiovascular risk factor.
- Effective management of HC is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events.
- Current guidelines for HC diagnosis and treatment require ongoing assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate factors influencing medication decisions in HC patients.
- To assess the appropriateness of a HC management protocol.
- To compare treatment patterns in primary versus secondary cardiovascular prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective descriptive study of 331 HC patients.
- Analysis of medication treatment (TM) versus non-treatment.
- Review of cardiovascular risk factors and treatment adherence.
Main Results:
- 68.8% of patients had multiple cardiovascular risk factors.
- In primary prevention, 37.5% of TM was indicated.
- Mean cholesterol levels were higher in treated patients; dietary counseling was common.
Conclusions:
- HC frequently coexists with other cardiovascular risk factors.
- Over-prescription of medication is noted in primary prevention.
- Treatment in secondary prevention more closely follows established guidelines.
Objectives:
To compare patients with hypercholesterolaemia (HC) for factors relating to the decision to treat a patient with medication or not; and to assess the suitability of a previously established protocol of HC diagnosis and treatment.
Design:
Retrospective, descriptive study.
Setting:
Primary care centre.
Patients:
331 patients diagnosed with HC in the register of risk factors at our centre. 175 patients treated with medication (TM) and 156 not treated with medication.
Results:
Mean age was 61.2 and 191 were women. 68.8% of the population under study had 2 or more factors of cardiovascular risk (FCVR). 56 patients were in secondary prevention (71.4% TM). 275 patients (83.08%) were in primary prevention. 135 of these received TM, which was indicated only in 45 (37.5%). Mean plasma concentrations (PC) of cholesterol (total and LDL) were greater in the patients treated. 99.3% of non-treated patients and 96.9% of treated patients received dietary counselling. This was maintained in 95% of non-treated patients. The reduction of cholesterol in the PC reached 8% in diet-treated patients by the end of the study. Initially 42.8% were treated with fibrates, 38.9% with statins and 18.3% with resins. By the end of the study 53.6% were treated with statins.
Conclusions:
The association of HC and other FCVR is common. In primary prevention, a high proportion of patients treated present cardiovascular risk which does not justify medical prescription. In secondary prevention we are closer to the current guidelines.
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