[Current practice in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol measurements for the clinical management of hyperlipidemia]

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) measurements in clinics were evaluated by a multiple-choice questionnaire sent to 146 physicians (78 general practitioners and 68 hospital physicians) in Niigata Prefecture, Japan.

Seventy-six percent of the general practitioners and 84% of the hospital staff measured LDL-C, and 60% of all physicians calculated LDL-C using the Friedewald formula. Sixty-two percent of general practitioners and 43% of hospital physicians took blood samples without overnight fasting and 40-50% of whom estimated LDL-C using the Friedewald formula, although the formula is reliable only for samples collected after an overnight fast. Two thirds of the physicians managed patients according to the Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines (1997), whereas 40-50% based diagnoses and treatments on total cholesterol, and only 20-30% used LDL-C-based management.

Direct measurement, education and management of LDL-C not affected by diet are mandatory.