Is lipid-lowering therapy underused by African Americans at high risk of coronary heart disease within the VA health care system?
OBJECTIVE
We examined whether racial differences exist in cholesterol monitoring, use of lipid-lowering agents, and achievement of guideline-recommended low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.


METHODS
We reviewed charts for 1045 African American and White patients with coronary heart disease at 5 Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals.


RESULTS
Lipid levels were obtained in 67.0% of patients. Whites and African Americans had similar screening rates and mean lipid levels. Among the 544 ideal candidates for therapy, rates of treatment and achievement of target LDL levels were similar.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no disparities in cholesterol management. This absence of disparities may be the result of VA quality improvement initiatives or prescription coverage through the VA health care system.
Woodard
LeChauncy D
LD
Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, USA. lwoodard@bcm.tmc.edu
Kressin
Nancy R
NR
Petersen
Laura A
LA
D001741:Black or African American; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D044465:White People
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents