Long-term impact of a community pharmacist intervention on cholesterol levels in patients at high risk for cardiovascular events: extended follow-up of the second study of cardiovascular risk intervention by pharmacists (SCRIP-plus).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of a community pharmacist intervention in patients at high risk for coronary heart disease on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels 1 year after completion of the Second Study of Cardiovascular Risk Intervention by Pharmacists (SCRIP- plus ).


METHODS
Patients who completed the original study were invited to make a single return visit to their community pharmacy so that the pharmacist could measure their fasting LDL level using a point-of-care device. The primary outcome was change in LDL level from the 6-month (final) visit to the extended follow-up evaluation.


RESULTS
Of the 359 patients who completed the original 6-month visit, data were collected for 162 (45%) patients. The mean +/- SD LDL level at completion of the original study was 107.9 +/- 33.6 mg/dl (2.79 +/- 0.96 mmol/L) (an increase of 2.7 mg/dl [0.07 mmol/L], 95% confidence interval -19.3-7.3 [-0.5-0.19]). Sixty-one (38%) patients were at the target LDL level (< 96.7 mg/dl [< 2.50 mmol/L]).


CONCLUSIONS
The LDL reduction was maintained 1 year after completion of the extended follow-up. Since most patients were still not at the target LDL level, this finding suggests that continuing intervention is necessary to help patients reach this target.
Yamada
Carol
C
Pharmacy Department, Grey Nuns Community Health Centre, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Johnson
Jeffrey A
JA
Robertson
Patrick
P
Pearson
Glen
G
Tsuyuki
Ross T
RT
D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D004358:Drug Therapy; D005215:Fasting / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D018579:Patient Selection; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D002784:Cholesterol