A national study on lipid management.
BACKGROUND
Hyperlipidemia remains a major cause of morbidity in Western countries. The objective of this study was to document the percentage of adults who underwent periodical LDL measurement, and the percentage of patients with diabetes and post-angioplasty who were treated to goal.


METHODS
Using a national database, data were obtained on the percentage of adults who had an LDL performed and the percentage of adults with an LDL at pre-specified levels. We also assessed the attainment of target LDL levels in diabetic and post-angioplasty patients. Data were also collected from patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to seven hospitals within a 5 year period (2000-2004).


RESULTS
Primary prevention: In 2005, 64.6% of the total population of 754,910 aged 35-44 had at least one record of LDL cholesterol measurement documented. This figure was 79.6% in the 717,617 adults aged 45-54. Secondary prevention: Of 253,233 diabetics in 2005, 220,023 (86.9%) have undergone at least one annual LDL measurement. The percentage of patients on statin therapy 3 and 12 months after an ACS admission increased significantly during the years 2000-2004 and reached 87%. Of the 42,292 patients who underwent PTCA during 2005, 34,346 (81.2%) have purchased at least 3 prescriptions of statins during 2005, 35,261 (83.4%) have performed at least one LDL measurement and 57.8% attained an LDL level of <100 mg/dl.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown an improvement in primary and secondary preventions of CV disease as documented by LDL measured and attainment of treatment goals, but further efforts are needed.
Department of Internal Medicine F, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. ajotkowitz@hotmail.com
Alan B
AB
Jotkowitz
Victor
V
Novack
Gad
G
Rabinowitz
Anat Raskin
AR
Segal
Ron
R
Weitzman
Avi
A
Porath
D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000592:standards; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors