Utilisation of lipid-lowering therapies in outpatient settings in Poland: epidemiological survey Economedica Dyslipidaemia 2015

摘要: Background: Dyslipidaemia, especially elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), is one of the most important cardiovascular risk factors. Treatment of dyslipidaemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with lipid-lowering drugs is one of the key issues in reducing cardiovascular mortality. Nevertheless, underutilisation of statins and lipid-lowering drugs is still a problem globally.Aim: The present study aimed to describe the utilisation of lipid-lowering drugs in groups of patients with indications for statin treatment and elevated LDL-C.Methods: The study included adult patients with an indication for the use of a lipid-lowering therapy, currently using or not using such therapy because of contraindications or statin intolerance, in whom LDL-C concentration was> 70 mg/dL, treated in outpatient settings. All patients were screened for CVD and had blood cholesterol concentration assessed. Patients were also divided into:(1) patients with vascular disease;(2) patients with diabetes mellitus;(3) aged≥ 65 years; and (4) patients without the three mentioned risk factors.Results: The study group consisted of 2812 (51.4% male) patients. Major cardiovascular risk factors including arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and smoking were highly prevalent in the study population (86.2%, 44.1%, and 23.3%, respectively). Out of the prespecified risk factors (vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, age≥ 65 years) the study population was divided into patients without any of the mentioned risk factors (n= 520), those with all the three risk factors (n= 368), two out of three risk factors (n= 934), and one risk factor (n= 990). The study showed …