Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
Quantifying the ‘distance to LDL-C goal’ in patients at very high cardiovascular risk with hyperlipidaemia in
Ksenija Stach1, Hartmut Richter2, Uwe Fraass3
15th Medical Department, University Hospital Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, Mannheim 68167, Germany.
Insights
Most patients with hyperlipidaemia have uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Achieving LDL-C goals requires a significant reduction, often exceeding 50%, highlighting a gap in cardiovascular risk management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Lipidology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hyperlipidaemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Current guidelines recommend specific low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals for high-risk patients.
- Assessing the 'distance to LDL-C goal' is crucial for evaluating treatment effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the 'distance to LDL-C goal' in very high cardiovascular risk patients with uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia.
- To evaluate the proportion of patients requiring substantial LDL-C reduction to meet guideline-recommended targets.
- To assess the long-term achievement of LDL-C control.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 32,963 patients diagnosed with hyperlipidaemia.
- Data sourced from the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database (2014-2018).
- Inclusion criteria: initial LDL-C measurement and at least one cardiovascular risk factor.
Main Results:
- Over 90% of patients across primary care, diabetology, and cardiology cohorts had uncontrolled LDL-C levels (≥70 mg/dL).
- Approximately one-third of patients required an LDL-C reduction of up to 50% to reach their goal.
- LDL-C control remained unachieved at 36 months post-index in the majority of patients.
Conclusions:
- Most hyperlipidaemia patients exhibit uncontrolled LDL-C levels.
- A substantial reduction in LDL-C is necessary for a significant proportion of patients to achieve treatment goals.
- Current management strategies appear insufficient for long-term LDL-C control in high-risk populations.
Background And Objectives:
This study quantified the 'distance to LDL-C goal' in patients at very high cardiovascular risk with uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia. 'Distance to LDL-C goal' was defined as the percentage by which low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels needed to be reduced to achieve the LDL-C goals specified in the 2016 or 2019 European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society guidelines.
Design And Methods:
This retrospective analysis using data from the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database included patients who were predominantly treated by a primary care physician, diabetologist or cardiologist between 2014 and 2018, with a diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia and an initial LDL-C measurement (index event) and one or more cardiovascular risk factors. The primary outcome was to assess the proportion of patients with uncontrolled hyperlipidaemia and to classify the 'distance to LDL-C goal' in these patients.
Results:
Data from 32,963 patients were analysed (n = 27,159, n = 3873 and n = 1931 patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). Most patients had uncontrolled LDL-C levels (⩾70 mg/dL; ⩾1.8 mmol/L) at index (91.0%, 86.4% and 94.0% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). Analysis of the 'distance to LDL-C goal' indicated that approximately one-third of patients in each cohort required an LDL-C level reduction of up to 50% relative to index to achieve their LDL-C goal (35.8%, 43.7% and 28.4% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively). LDL-C control was not achieved at 36 months post-index in most patients with uncontrolled LDL-C levels (86.8%, 81.7% and 90.2% of patients in the primary care physician, diabetology and cardiology cohorts, respectively).
Conclusion:
LDL-C levels were uncontrolled in most patients with hyperlipidaemia. Analysis of the 'distance to LDL-C goal' showed that most patients required a substantial LDL-C level reduction to achieve their LDL-C goal.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Medical Management
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:29Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...