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Centralized Pan-Middle East Survey on the Under-Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia: Results from the CEPHEUS Study in
A Reda1, A A Abdel-Rehim2, A Etman3
1College of Medicine, Menoufiya University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt. ashrafreda5555@gmail.com.
Insights
Hypercholesterolemia management in Egypt falls short, with less than half of patients achieving their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. High-risk individuals are particularly undertreated, necessitating improved physician practices and patient adherence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a significant health burden, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) as a key modifiable risk factor.
- Lipid-lowering drugs are crucial for managing hypercholesterolemia, but guideline adherence varies.
- Effective management requires appropriate patient selection and treatment goal attainment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess hypercholesterolemia management in Egyptian patients on lipid-lowering drugs.
- To evaluate adherence to LDL-C treatment goals within the Egyptian context.
- To compare Egypt's performance against regional averages.
Main Methods:
- The Centralized Pan-Middle East Survey on the under-treatment of hypercholesterolemia (CEPHEUS) study.
- Observational analysis of 1,043 patients in Egypt receiving lipid-lowering therapy.
- Assessment of LDL-C goal attainment based on cardiovascular risk stratification.
Main Results:
- Less than 50% of all patients achieved their LDL-C treatment goal.
- A majority (nearly 75%) of patients were categorized as high or very high cardiovascular risk.
- Only 10% of high-risk patients attained their target LDL-C levels.
- Egypt's hypercholesterolemia management appears suboptimal compared to regional data.
Conclusions:
- Hypercholesterolemia treatment in Egypt requires significant improvement, especially for high-risk individuals.
- Physician education on guideline-directed management is essential.
- Enhancing patient compliance with lipid-lowering therapies is critical for reducing cardiovascular risk.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; however, the risks associated with this disease can be reduced by targeting circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with lipid-lowering drugs, as recommended in many treatment guidelines. Their effectiveness for hypercholesterolemia management depends on appropriate use in at-risk patients. Observational studies have shown varying adherence to national and international guidelines on reaching LDL-C treatment goals.
Methods:
The Centralized Pan-Middle East Survey on the under-treatment of hypercholesterolemia (CEPHEUS) study observed the current management of hypercholesterolemia in patients on lipid-lowering drugs in seven Middle Eastern countries, and results from 1,043 patients in Egypt are presented here.
Results:
Overall, less than 50% of patients achieved their LDL-C treatment goal, with patients at higher risk of a cardiovascular event being less likely to attain their target. Nearly, three-quarters of patients in this study were considered high or very high risk, with only 10% of high-risk patients reaching their treatment goal.
Conclusions:
Management of hypercholesterolemia in Egypt is comparatively worse than the average for similar countries in the region, and many patients with high risk of CVD are not being effectively treated. Initiatives to improve physicians' management of these patients and patient compliance to treatment are urgently needed.
Funding:
AstraZeneca, Cairo, Egypt.
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