Incidence of and factors associated with achieving target lipid levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
BACKGROUND
Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have increased mortality compared with patients without PAD. Coronary artery disease (CAD) accounts for almost 75% of deaths in PAD patients. Studies suggest that PAD is underdiagnosed and atherosclerotic risk factors undertreated when compared with CAD.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether cholesterol guidelines are being met in patients with PAD and to determine whether any independent factors increase the likelihood of reaching goal low-density lipoprotein (LDL).


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of subjects diagnosed with PAD in 2001 at 2 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.


METHODS
Univariate analysis compares baseline characteristics between those reaching goal and those who do not. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified predictors of meeting LDL goal among PAD patients.


RESULTS
Of 315 patients, 62% reached goal LDL. Those more likely to reach goal were older, had hypertension, and a history of CAD and stroke. Positive predictors of LDL goal were age and CAD, while smoking was a negative predictor.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of veterans with PAD received lipid-lowering medication and achieve goal LDL, but they are more likely to do so if they are older than 70 and have a history of CAD.
Banta
Meggan R
MR
Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Ma
Fangchao
F
Bravata
Dawn M
DM
Kirsner
Robert S
RS
Federman
Daniel G
DG
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids