The combined use of cholesterol-lowering drugs and cholesterol-lowering bread spreads: health behavior data from Finland.
BACKGROUND
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may metabolically interact with cholesterol-lowering bread spreads. This study analyses the prevalence of use of drugs, bread spreads or the combination of both in people aware of their high/elevated cholesterol level, and compares users of the three therapies on health behavior and demographics.


METHODS
Participants (9581, 25-74 years) from The National FINRISK 2002 Study filled out a questionnaire on demographics and health (related) issues. Blood samples, blood pressure, body weight and height were measured.


RESULTS
Of those who reported to have a high cholesterol level (31% of the study population), 19% used cholesterol-lowering drugs, 11% used cholesterol-lowering bread spreads and 5% combined both therapies. On a population level, only 1% jointly used a drug and bread spread therapy. The combination was used by especially highly educated people and those having a healthy diet.


CONCLUSIONS
Combining a cholesterol-lowering drug with a bread spread regimen is relatively rare, even among those being aware of their high cholesterol levels. The combined usage was most frequent among 'the better off'. Public health risks of a metabolic interaction between both therapies may not be of major importance yet, but future follow-up is recommended.
Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. nynke.de.jong@rivm.nl
Nynke
N
de Jong
Meri
M
Simojoki
Tiina
T
Laatikainen
Heli
H
Tapanainen
Liisa
L
Valsta
Marjaana
M
Lahti-Koski
Antti
A
Uutela
Erkki
E
Vartiainen
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001939:Bread; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D004041:Dietary Fats; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008383:Margarine; D002784:Cholesterol