Lipid management among coronary artery disease patients with diabetes mellitus or advanced age
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M W Massing1, C A Sueta, M Chowdhury
1Medical Review of North Carolina, Cary. mmassing@mrnc.org
The American Journal of Cardiology
|March 7, 2001
Insights
Aggressive lipid management benefits high-risk patients with diabetes or advanced age. However, this study found undertreatment with lipid-lowering medications in these groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) patients with diabetes mellitus or advanced age represent high-risk populations.
- Aggressive lipid management is generally recommended for secondary prevention in these individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of pharmacologic undertreatment for lipid management in high-risk CAD patients.
- To identify potential gaps in care for patients with diabetes mellitus or advanced age.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a large national sample of patients.
- Focus on patients receiving care in ambulatory medical practices.
- Examination of lipid-lowering medication prescribing patterns.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of high-risk CAD patients, specifically those with diabetes mellitus or of advanced age, were pharmacologically undertreated.
- The findings suggest a discrepancy between recommended guidelines and actual clinical practice.
Conclusions:
- There is a need to improve lipid management strategies for high-risk coronary artery disease patients.
- Enhanced pharmacologic treatment is likely required for diabetic and elderly CAD patients to achieve optimal cardiovascular outcomes.
Abstract:
Aggressive lipid management is likely beneficial for coronary artery disease patients with diabetes mellitus or of advanced age. Nevertheless, a study of a large national sample of patients seen in ambulatory medical practices suggests pharmacologic undertreatment in these high-risk groups.
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