Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Use of Aspirin and Statin as primary prevention for cardiovascular diseases
Bahaa Aba Alkhail1, Rahila Iftikhar2, Adnan Al Shaikh3
1Bahaa Aba Alkhail, Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This study assessed Statin and Aspirin use for primary prevention in diabetic patients. While some patients received indicated treatments, significant gaps in prescribing adherence were identified.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease is a major complication in diabetic patients.
- Primary prevention with aspirin and statins is recommended for high-risk individuals.
- Adherence to guidelines for these medications in diabetic populations requires evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation of Statin and Aspirin recommendations for primary prevention in diabetic patients at King Abdulaziz University Hospital.
- To identify any discrepancies between indicated and prescribed use of these medications.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 312 diabetic patients was conducted.
- Data were extracted from electronic medical records, including patient characteristics, comorbidities, and lab results.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Main Results:
- Aspirin was indicated for 17.0% of patients but not prescribed in those cases; it was indicated and prescribed in 36.2%.
- Statin therapy was indicated for 27.2% but not prescribed in those instances; it was indicated and prescribed in 63.1%.
- Significant proportions of patients did not receive indicated primary prevention therapy.
Conclusions:
- While the institution's treatment target achievement is comparable to other studies, adherence to Statin and Aspirin guidelines for primary prevention in diabetic patients is suboptimal.
- Further improvements in prescribing practices are necessary to ensure optimal cardiovascular risk reduction in this patient group.
Objective:
To ascertain whether recommendations for the use of Statins and Aspirin as primary prevention in diabetic patients are correctly implemented at our institution.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2014 and April 2014 at the General Practice Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Three hundred twelve patients were included in the study. Data were collected from the electronic patient medical records for the characteristics of the patients, existing co-morbidities, and results of laboratory investigations. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables.
Results:
Of 312 patients, aspirin was indicated for 17.0% but it was not prescribed. It was both indicated and prescribed in 36.2% of the cases. Statin treatment was indicated in 27.2% of the patients but it was not prescribed, while in 63.1% of cases it was indicated and prescribed.
Conclusion:
The proportion of patients who achieved treatment targets at our institution is greater than that reported by other studies, albeit treatment targets are not being met in a significant number of cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:20Antiplatelet Drugs: Prostaglandin Synthesis, P2Y12 and Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors
Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, exemplified by the widely known aspirin, wield their power by irreversibly acetylating...
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:27Coronary Artery Disease V: Interprofessional Care
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:27Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care