Dyslipidemia in the elderly: should it be treated?
Elderly or older adults constitute a rapidly growing segment of the United States population, thus resulting in an increase in morbidity and mortality related to cardiovascular disease-an increase that is reaching epidemic proportions. Dyslipidemia is a well established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is estimated to account for more than half of the global cases of coronary artery disease. Despite the increased prevalence of dyslipidemia in the older adult population, controversy persists regarding the benefits of treatment in this group. Epidemiologic studies have shown that dyslipidemia is often underdiagnosed and under treated in this population probably as a result of a paucity of evidence regarding the impact of treatment in delaying the progression of atherosclerotic disease, concerns involving increased likelihood of adverse events or drug interactions, or doubts regarding the cost effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy in older adults. In conclusion, despite the proven efficacy of lipid-lowering therapy in decreasing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, these therapies have been underutilized in older patients.
Shanmugasundaram
Madhan
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA. smadhan13@gmail.com
Rough
Steven J
SJ
Alpert
Joseph S
JS
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D058607:Fibric Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D058607:Fibric Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D009525:Niacin