title: Targeted study to evaluate the cardiovascular risk factor status among patients and efficacy of statins in attaining goal lipid levels in a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Elevated LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is a major cause of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and LDL lowering therapy reduces the risk for CHD. The study was conducted with the aim of assessing the prescribing pattern of statins based on cardiovascular risk factor category, pattern of lipid monitoring followed among the patients and extent of attainment of goal Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL-C) observed among the patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of patient files (among those on statin agent during the year 2011) from the Department of Medicine in Nizwa Hospital were selected for targeted evaluation on the risk factor status of patients and efficacy of statins in attaining goal lipid levels. Goal LDL-C levels were estimated for each patient depending on their risk factor status. Subsequent follow ups of the patients were reviewed from the patient files and accordingly the attainment and maintenance of goal-LDL-C in the patients were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 183 patients were identified. Mean age of the evaluated patients was 63.6 ± 11.58 years. Evaluating the status of patients on the presence of risk factors, majority (63.9%) of them had presence of CHD. Simvastatin was the most commonly used agent and titration of dose was done in only 3.3% of patients. Mean LDL-C level of the patient before initiation of treatment was 3.74 ± 1.9 mmol/L. Only in 59 (32.2 %) of the total evaluated 183 patients, there was evidence of attaining goal-LDL-C levels. Among them, there was evidence of maintenance of goal LDL-C in 16 (27.1%) of the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statins were used less frequently for primary prevention of CHD. Absence of lipid monitoring; base line and follow up in a good number of patients as well as lack of dose titration among the patients were observed. Importance of adequate lipid monitoring and follow up to ensure attainment of goal LDL-C needs to be stressed to serve the objective of use of statins; primary and secondary prevention of CHD.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nursing, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman.
authors.forename: Jimmy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jose
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nizwa Hospital, Ministry of Health, Oman.
authors.forename: Faisal Abdullah Ali
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Al-Tamimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Nizwa Hospital, Ministry of Health, Oman.
authors.forename: Manal Mahmoud
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Helal
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nursing, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman.
authors.forename: Beena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jimmy
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Nursing, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman.
authors.forename: Qasim
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Al Riyami
authors.affiliation: Research Division, Directorate General of Health Services, Al Dakhliya Governorate, Oman.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Al Busaidi
keywords: LDL-C goal; Risk factor status; Statins; Sultanate of Oman