title: Lipid management in ischemic stroke patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In-hospital initiation and maintaining of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) after discharge is recommended for dyslipidemic stroke patients. However, little is known about actual adherence to treatment in Taiwan. This study aims to describe the current practice of lipid testing and LLT and to identify predictors for patient to receive LLT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2001 and December 2002, a total of 1105 consecutive ischemic stroke patients were prospectively registered. Dyslipidemic ischemic stroke patients were recruited and followed over a 6 months period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In-hospital lipid testing was performed in 91% of all patients and LLT was initiated in 74% (350/476) of dyslipidemic patients. During the 6 months follow-up period, lipid testing was performed in 77% (266/345) and LLT was maintained in 45% (154/345) of patients. However, the target LDL cholesterol level (<100mg/dL) was achieved in only 30% (78/255) of patients. Older patients had a lower chance to receive LLT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The in-hospital initiation of LLT and lipid testing was considered adequate as compared to other studies. However, after discharge from the hospital, many patients, especially older patients remained untreated. Efforts to close treatment gaps in lipid management require sustained quality improvement efforts. More awareness in this area is needed.
authors: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. tengyeowtan@yahoo.com
authors: Teng-Yeow
authors: TY
authors: Tan
authors: Ku-Chou
authors: KC
authors: Chang
authors: Ulf
authors: U
authors: Schminke
authors: Tsung-Kung
authors: TK
authors: Lin
authors: Yu-Ching
authors: YC
authors: Huang
authors: Jen-Wen
authors: JW
authors: Hung
authors: Ting-Yao
authors: TY
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents