[When and how do we treat our hypercholesterolemic patients?].
OBJECTIVE
To compare patients with hypercholesterolaemia (HC) for factors relating to the decision to treat a patient with medication or not; and to assess the suitability of a previously established protocol of HC diagnosis and treatment.


METHODS
Retrospective, descriptive study.


METHODS
Primary care centre.


METHODS
331 patients diagnosed with HC in the register of risk factors at our centre. 175 patients treated with medication (TM) and 156 not treated with medication.


RESULTS
Mean age was 61.2 and 191 were women. 68.8% of the population under study had 2 or more factors of cardiovascular risk (FCVR). 56 patients were in secondary prevention (71.4% TM). 275 patients (83.08%) were in primary prevention. 135 of these received TM, which was indicated only in 45 (37.5%). Mean plasma concentrations (PC) of cholesterol (total and LDL) were greater in the patients treated. 99.3% of non-treated patients and 96.9% of treated patients received dietary counselling. This was maintained in 95% of non-treated patients. The reduction of cholesterol in the PC reached 8% in diet-treated patients by the end of the study. Initially 42.8% were treated with fibrates, 38.9% with statins and 18.3% with resins. By the end of the study 53.6% were treated with statins.


CONCLUSIONS
The association of HC and other FCVR is common. In primary prevention, a high proportion of patients treated present cardiovascular risk which does not justify medical prescription. In secondary prevention we are closer to the current guidelines.
Bonet
S
S
Departamento de Farmacología, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona.
García Villena
I
I
Tomás Santos
P
P
Tapia Mayor
I
I
Gussinyé Canabal
P
P
Mundet Tuduri
X
X
D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol
Cuándo y cómo tratamos a nuestros pacientes hipercolesterémicos?