Related Experiment Videos
[Screening and treatment of hyperlipidemias in Israel]
1Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Haim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
Insights
This study found that while lipid testing and hyperlipidemia treatment increased with cardiovascular disease severity, overall rates remained lower than expected across all patient groups. Combined hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were most common, with statins and fibric acid derivatives frequently used.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Disorders
- Public Health
Context:
- Hyperlipidemias are a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- The Israel Atherosclerosis Society has established screening and treatment guidelines.
- Primary care physicians' practices regarding lipid management were assessed.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the frequency of plasma lipid testing and hyperlipidemia treatment in primary care settings.
- To compare lipid management practices across different patient risk categories, from those without risk factors to post-surgical patients.
Summary:
- A survey of 2015 adult patients revealed that lipid determinations and drug therapy for hyperlipidemia increased with CVD severity.
- Despite guidelines, lipid testing rates were lower than expected in all patient groups.
- Combined hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia were the most prevalent metabolic issues, with statins and fibric acid derivatives being common treatments.
Impact:
- Highlights potential gaps in adherence to hyperlipidemia screening and treatment guidelines within primary care.
- Informs strategies to improve cardiovascular risk management through better lipid control.
- Underscores the need for consistent application of evidence-based practices for metabolic disorders.
Abstract:
Hyperlipidemias are a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Screening and treatment guidelines for the metabolic disorders associated with them have been adopted and published by the Israel Atherosclerosis Society. We examined the frequency of plasma lipid determinations and treatment of hyperlipidemia by a sample of family practitioners, primary physicians, cardiologists and internists working in ambulatory, primary medical care who filled out questionnaires for consecutive adult clinic patients. Of 2015 patients, 1029 (51%) were reported to be free of cardiovascular disease or its risk factors, 606 (30%) had at least 1 risk factor, 171 (8%) had peripheral or cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease, 131 (7%) had had a myocardial infarction and 78 (4%) had undergone coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery. Although the frequency of determinations of total HDL and LDL cholesterol increased from those without a risk factor to those after bypass surgery, the overall rates were lower than expected in all groups. With regard to risk factors, in those with a family history of cardiovascular disease lipid determinations were done most frequently, approaching the frequency in the bypass group. Combined hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was the most common metabolic aberration in all categories. The rate of drug therapy increased from those with no risk factor to those after bypass surgery. Therapy with resin was reported in 3-14%, fibric acid derivatives in 29-53% and statins in 33-57% of the various patient groups. Again, the drug therapy profile of the group with a positive family history was similar to that of the bypass group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)