Attitudes and behavior of peripheral arterial disease patients toward influencing their physician's prescription of cholesterol-lowering medication.
Among 355 peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels > or = 70 mg/dl, we assessed knowledge regarding optimal LDL levels and the importance of LDL-C-lowering therapy. We also assessed PAD participants' behaviors and attitudes regarding their engagement with their physician in treatment decisions for LDL-C lowering. The average baseline LDL-C level of participants was 103.4 mg/dl +/- 30.7 mg/dl. Seventy-six percent of participants were taking at least one cholesterol-lowering medication. Sixty-six percent were unable to define their optimal LDL-C. Only 47% strongly agreed that their own actions and decisions could reduce their LDL-C. Just 29.8% were aware that patients who request specific medications from their physician were more likely to receive them, and 16% had asked their physician whether they should be taking more cholesterol-lowering medication. These findings suggest that further study is needed to identify effective interventions to educate PAD patients and their physicians about the importance of cholesterol-lowering therapy and to encourage PAD patients to participate with their physician in decisions regarding cholesterol-lowering treatment. Clinical Trial Registration - URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00217919.
McDermott
Mary M
MM
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. mdm608@northwestern.edu
Mazor
Kathleen M
KM
Reed
George
G
Pagoto
Sherry
S
Graff
Rex
R
Merriam
Philip
P
Kibbe
Melina
M
Greenland
Philip
P
Ockene
Judy
J
Olendzki
Barbara
B
Huimin Tao
Ockene
Ira
I
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists