title: The burden and management of dyslipidemia: practical issues.
abstract: The objective of this study is to describe briefly the burden of dyslipidemia, and to discuss and present strategies for health professionals to improve dyslipidemia management, based on a review of selected literature focusing on interventions for dyslipidemia treatment adherence. Despite the availability of effective lifestyle and pharmaceutical therapies for dyslipidemias, they continue to present a significant economic burden in the United States. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for the treatment of dyslipidemias is unsatisfactory. The reasons for medication nonadherence are complex and specific to each patient. The lack of progress in achieving optimal lipid targets is caused by many factors: patient (medication adherence, cost of medication, literacy), medication (adverse effects, complexity of regimen), provider (lack of adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines, poor communication), and the US healthcare system (being focused on acute care rather than prevention, lack of continuity of care, general lack of use of an electronic health record). Combined interventions that target each part of the system have been effective in improving treatment adherence and achieving lipid goals. Patients, providers, pharmacists, and employers all play a role in management of dyslipidemia. No single approach will solve the complex issue of improving dyslipidemia management. The required lifestyle changes are known and effective medications are available. The challenge is for all interested parties-including nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, pharmacists, other health care professionals, employers, and health plans-to help patients achieve behavioral changes.
authors: University of Michigan Health Management Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-1688, USA. abelaire@umich.edu
authors: Alyssa B
authors: AB
authors: Schultz
authors: Chin-Yu
authors: CY
authors: Chen
authors: Wayne N
authors: WN
authors: Burton
authors: Dee W
authors: DW
authors: Edington
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D019468:Disease Management; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D017048:Health Care Costs; D005102:Health Expenditures; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D055118:Medication Adherence; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents