The impact of office cholesterol testing

The role of portable cholesterol analyzers in the identification and management of hypercholesterolemia is controversial. This study investigated the effect of free office cholesterol testing on screening behavior and on blood cholesterol reduction in a family practice center.

After a baseline period of 5 months, an office cholesterol analyzer was made available for 1 year to two teams of patients and providers (study group), but not to the other two teams (control group).

The percentage of patients screened increased from 28% to 52% in the study group, and from 29% to 42% in the control group (difference favoring study group, prevalence odds ratio = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33 to 1.62). Compared with those whose cholesterol tests were sent to outside laboratories, patients screened with the office analyzer were younger (mean age 36 years vs 42 years), and the barrier to those without insurance was reduced. There was no clinically or statistically significant effect on lowering cholesterol (difference favoring study group = 0.01 mmol/L, 95% CI = -0.15 to 0.17).

The availability of free office cholesterol testing increased the prevalence of cholesterol testing, particularly for younger patients and those without insurance; however, the testing had no discernible effect of motivating patients to lower their blood cholesterol levels.