Gender differences in adhering to national guidelines in a community lipid clinic.
The aggressive treatment of hypercholesterolemia improves morbidity and mortality in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease irrespective of gender. Electronically tracked data on 4324 patients enrolled in a community lipid clinic were analyzed for gender differences in lipid values and adherence to national guidelines in lipid management. Women were older, more likely to be diabetic and/or hypertensive, and have a family history of coronary heart disease. Women also had higher initial total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels and were more likely to be at goal at entry for high-density lipoprotein. Men were more likely to have coronary heart disease and lower high-density lipoprotein and were more likely to be at goal at entry for triglyceride level. There were no gender differences in low-density lipoprotein at goal at entry or rate of current smoking. All lipid parameters appeared better with age, irrespective of gender. More men than women reached goal for their low-density lipoprotein (61.5% vs 51.7%) and triglyceride (36.9% vs 25.1%) levels, whereas more women than men reached goal for their high-density lipoprotein (33.1% vs 22.2%). The authors conclude that there are significant gender differences in lipid values at entry to a community lipid clinic and in achieving National Cholesterol Education Program targets following the initiation of therapy. A possible gender-independent survivorship effect exists for low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein.
Shammas
Nicolas W
NW
Midwest Cardiovascular Research Foundation, Cardiovascular Medicine, Davenport, IA 52803, USA. shammas@mchsi.com
Lemke
Jon H
JH
Deckert
Judi
J
Toth
Peter P
PP
McKinney
Dawn
D
Dippel
Eric J
EJ
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides