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Optimizing lipid management-impact of the COVID 19 pandemic upon cardiovascular risk in England

Julia L Newton1,2, Joseph Hamed3, Helen Williams4

  • 1Faculty of Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.

British Medical Bulletin
|May 12, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced lipid-lowering therapy prescriptions in England. Urgent action is needed to reverse this trend and prevent worsening cardiovascular risk and mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular disease prevention
  • Public health interventions
  • Pharmacotherapy utilization

Background:

  • Investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lipid-lowering therapy prescribing in England.
  • Examining temporal trends in high-intensity, non-high-intensity statin, and ezetimibe prescriptions over three years.
  • Assessing the potential link between reduced lipid-lowering therapy and excess cardiovascular mortality post-pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affected prescribing of lipid-lowering drugs.
  • To evaluate the implications for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and mortality.
  • To inform strategies for optimizing cholesterol management and reducing health inequalities.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized National Health Service (NHS) Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) prescription data.
  • Analyzed monthly prescribing data from October 2018 to December 2021.
  • Tracked commencement, cessation, and continuation of statin and ezetimibe therapies.

Main Results:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns led to a significant decrease in lipid-lowering therapy prescriptions.
  • This reduction may contribute to the observed increase in cardiovascular mortality.
  • Historical undertreatment of cholesterol poses a persistent challenge.

Conclusions:

  • A notable reduction in lipid-lowering therapy prescribing occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Urgent interventions are required to counteract the pandemic's impact on cholesterol management.
  • Improving lipid management is crucial for reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.
Abstract

Keywords:
cardiovascular riskcholesterol managementezetimibeprescriptionsstatins

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