Estimating cholesterol treatment rates among individuals with multiple risk factors and without coronary heart disease.
This retrospective study examined lipid-lowering therapy treatment rates from 2000 to 2001 using the Ingenix LabRx Database. Patients with multiple risk factors without coronary heart disease were identified based on the presence of >/=2 of the following: men >/=45 years, women >/=55 years, hypertension, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dl, total cholesterol >/=200 mg/dl, or obesity. Lipid treatment rates were estimated among those needing therapy (defined as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >/=130 mg/dl or currently receiving lipid-lowering therapy). The overall lipid-lowering therapy treatment rate was 38% and the estimated lipid treatment gap (percent needing treatment who were not receiving it) was 62%.
Nag
Soma S
SS
Outcomes Research and Management, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA. soma_nag@merck.com
Pearson
Thomas A
TA
Ma
Larry
L
Landsman
Pamela B
PB
Cimino
Anthony
A
Vickers
Florence F
FF
Alexander
Charles M
CM
Melin
Jeffrey M
JM
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL