Evaluation of Statin Prescribing Practices and Predictors of Statin Underutilization in Persons With HIV

Persons with HIV (PWH) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with those without HIV. Despite the increased risk, PWH are less likely to be prescribed statin therapy compared with the general population. The purpose of this study is to describe the statin prescribing practices of an outpatient HIV clinic and identify potential predictors of statin underutilization.

This study was a retrospective, single-center chart review of PWH ages 40-79 years receiving care at an HIV clinic. Statin eligibility, statin prescribing practices, and appropriateness of statin therapy were evaluated. Logistical regression analyses were conducted to assess for predictors of underutilization of statin therapy.

Of the 606 patients, statin therapy was indicated in 362 patients (60%). Among those with a statin indication, 60.2% were prescribed appropriate statin therapy, 11.6% were prescribed statin therapy but not at the indicated intensity, and 28.2% were not prescribed statin therapy. Tobacco use ( P = 0.0023) was identified as a predictor of statin underutilization. The odds of statin prescribing were higher for those with clinical atherosclerotic CVD ( P = 0.004) and hypertension ( P = 0.017).

Statin underutilization was significantly higher in PWH smoking tobacco and PWH without atherosclerotic CVD or low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol 190 mg/dL or higher. In addition, this study highlights the need for more robust CVD prevention efforts in PWH. Identifying predictors of statin underutilization may aid in elucidating where gaps in cardiovascular prevention care may exist.