title: An evaluation of pharmaceutical treatment of dyslipidaemia among patients without diagnosed atherosclerotic disease in Belgium.
abstract: The aim of this study was to assess the lipoprotein levels in patients without diagnosed atherosclerotic disease but treated with lipid-lowering drugs. During February and March 2002 all demands for continuation of reimbursement of lipid-lowering drugs were recorded at two regional offices of health insurance associations. A total of 1973 patients without diagnosed atherosclerotic disease were included (mean age 66 years). Mean total cholesterol (TC) was 5.39 mmol/l, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 1.50 mmol/l, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) 3.16 mmol/l and triglycerides (TG) 1.59 mmol/l. Thirty-four per cent of the treated patients reached the TC target of 5.0 mmol/l or less. The LDL-C target level of 3.0 mmol/l or less was reached by 45% of the patients. Of the patients receiving a statin, 61% were not treated with the optimal doses. The treatment was adjusted in 15% of the patients who did not reach the combined endpoint.
authors: Department of General Practice, University of Brussels, Belgium.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Devroey
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Betz
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Kartounian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents