Beyond guidelines: achieving the optimum in LDL cholesterol control.
OBJECTIVE
Despite clear treatment guidelines, a major part of the population is not achieving the recommended LDL cholesterol target levels. This fact is more prominent among high-risk populations in which the majority of patients are untreated or undertreated.


RESULTS
The review will elaborate on the key issues of treating large populations: patient compliance, drug efficacy, cost-benefit, and physician quality of care.


CONCLUSIONS
A programme aimed at improving control of hyperlipidemia should address all four issues. The primary care physician should be empowered and given tools for optimizing treatment.
Leibovitz
Eyal
E
Department of Medicine, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel. leibovitz@wolfson.health.gov.il
Bitzur
Rafi
R
Harats
Dror
D
Gavish
Dov
D
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL