Statin use, intensity, and 3-year clinical outcomes among older patients with coronary artery disease

Traditional Chinese medicine lowering lipid levels and cardiovascular events across baseline lipid levels among coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

Dyslipidemia is a critical driver in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), which further exacerbates the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) plays an important role in the regulation of lipid levels and improvement of prognosis. However, few systematic reviews report whether the efficacy of CHM therapy for regulating lipid levels and lowering cardiovascular events is associated with baseline lipid levels.

Methods

Randomized controlled trials assessing efficacy of CHM for lipid profiles and MACEs among patients with CHD were searched in six databases. Two authors independently extracted studies according to a predesigned form. Cochrane risk of bias tool and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system were used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. The primary outcomes were blood lipid levels and MACEs including cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction, revascularization, angina pectoris, heart failure, and non-fatal stroke across baseline lipid levels. The secondary outcomes were individual components of the primary outcomes.

Results

A total of 23 trials with 7,316 participants were included in this study. Altogether 377 cardiovascular events occurred in 3,670 patients in the CHM group, while 717 events occurred in 3,646 patients in the Western medicine-alone group. Compared with the Western medicine alone, additional CHM significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) [MD = -0.46, 95% CI (-0.60 to -0.32), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 96%]. The risk reduction in MACEs associated with CHM vs. Western medicine therapy was 0.52 [95% CI (0.47-0.58), P < 0.00001, I 2  = 0%], but varied by baseline LDL-C level (P = 0.03 for interaction). Triglycerides (TG) level was also significantly lowered by additional CHM vs. Western medicine alone [MD = -0.27, 95% CI (-0.34 to -0.20), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 81%], and risk reduction for MACEs also varied with baseline TG, with greater risk reduction in higher baseline TG subgroups (P = 0.03 for interaction). Similar results were observed with total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusion

Compared with Western medicine alone, additional CHM was associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and improvement of lipid profiles. Risk reduction for cardiovascular events was associated with baseline LDL-C and TG levels.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO, identifier CRD42023425791.

Association between statin therapy and long-term clinical outcomes in patients with stable coronary disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

This longitudinal cohort study examined the long-term effect of statin therapy on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 1760 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided by receipt of statin therapy or not after index PCI. Baseline clinical characteristics, risk factors, angiographic findings, and medications after interventional procedure were assessed to compare long-term clinical outcomes between groups. Predictors for all-cause death and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular death, and repeated PCI procedures, were also analyzed. The statin therapy group had higher average serum cholesterol and more elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than the non-statin therapy group (189.0 ± 47.9 vs 169.3 ± 37.00 mg/dl, 117.2 ± 42.6 vs 98.7 ± 31.8 mg/dl, respectively, both P < 0.001). The non-statin group had higher rates of all-cause death and cardiovascular death compared to statin group (both P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, Cox proportion hazard analysis revealed statin use significantly reduced all-cause death and repeated PCI procedure (hazard ratio: 0.53 and 0.69, respectively). Statin use seemed not reduce the hazard of cardiovascular death or MI in patients with stable CAD after PCI; however, statin therapy still was associated with reduced rates of all-cause death and repeat PCI procedure.

A Cohort Analysis of Statin Treatment Patterns Among Small-Sized Primary Care Practices

BACKGROUND

Small-sized primary care practices, defined as practices with fewer than 10 clinicians, delivered the majority of outpatient visits in the USA. Statin therapy in high-risk individuals reduces atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, but prescribing patterns in small primary care practices are not well known. This study describes statin treatment patterns in small-sized primary care practices and examines patient- and practice-level factors associated with lack of statin treatment.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of statin-eligible patients from practices that participated in Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3), a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving cardiovascular care measures in small primary care practices. All statin-eligible adults who received care in one of 53 H3 practices from 2013 to 2016. Statin-eligible adults include those aged at least 21 with (1) clinical ASCVD, (2) low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) ≥ 190 mg/dL, or (3) diabetes aged 40-75 and with LDL-C 70-189 mg/dL. Eligible patients with no record of moderate- to high-intensity statin prescription are defined by ACC/AHA guidelines.

RESULTS

Among the 13,330 statin-eligible adults, the mean age was 58 years and 52% were women. Overall, there was no record of moderate- to high-intensity statin prescription among 5,780 (43%) patients. Younger age, female sex, and lower LDL-C were independently associated with a lack of appropriate intensity statin therapy. Higher proportions of patients insured by Medicaid and having only family medicine trained physicians (versus having at least one internal medicine trained physician) at the practice were also associated with lower appropriate intensity statin use. Lack of appropriate intensity statin therapy was higher in independent practices than in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) (50% vs. 40%, p value < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There is an opportunity for improved ASCVD risk reduction in small primary care practices. Statin treatment patterns and factors influencing lack of treatment vary by practice setting, highlighting the importance of tailored approaches to each setting.

Impact of Statin Treatment Intensity after Endovascular Revascularization on Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease

PURPOSE

Only a few Asian studies have discussed the impact of statin intensity on clinical outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of statin intensity in patients with PAD after endovascular revascularization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2009 to June 2019, 376 patients with lower extremity PAD treated with endovascular revascularization were enrolled. They were classified into three groups according to statin intensity: no-statin, low-to-moderate intensity (LMI), and high-intensity (HI). The primary outcomes were major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE).

RESULTS

During the 40-month follow-up, MACE occurred less frequently in the HI and LMI groups than the no-statin group (11.4% vs. 16.0% vs. 39%, p<0.001). In adjusted Cox models, the HI group had the fewest MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 0.447; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.244-0.834; p=0.018] and MALE (HR: 0.360; 95% CI: 0.129-1.006; p=0.051) events, while the LMI group had fewer MACE (HR: 0.571; 95% CI: 0.326-1.0; p=0.050) events than the no-statin group. HI statin therapy was associated with better outcomes in terms of MALE (HR: 0.432; 95% CI: 0.223-0.837; p=0.003) than LMI statin therapy after inverse probability treatment weighting analysis.

CONCLUSION

HI and LMI statin use is associated with a significant reduction in MACE events than no-statin use. HI statin use was associated with better MALE outcomes than no-statin or LMI statin use.

TAVR: A Review of Current Practices and Considerations in Low-Risk Patients

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an established treatment for severe, symptomatic, aortic stenosis (AS) in patients of all risk categories and now comprises 12.5% of all aortic valve replacements. TAVR is a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR), with equivalent or superior outcomes. The use of TAVR has increased rapidly. The success and increase in use of TAVR are a result of advances in technology, greater operator experience, and improved outcomes. Indications have recently expanded to include patients considered to be at low risk for SAVR. While TAVR outcomes have improved, remaining challenges include the management of coexistent coronary artery disease, prevention of periprocedural stroke, and issue of durability. These issues are even more relevant for low-risk, younger patients.

Real-world evaluation of the impact of statin intensity on adherence and persistence to therapy: A Scottish population-based study

Aim

To assess associations between statin intensity and adherence, persistence and discontinuation of statin therapy in Scotland.

Method

Retrospective cohort study, using linked electronic health records covering a period from January 2009 to December 2016. The study cohort included adult patients (≥18 years) newly initiating statins within Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Scotland. Study outcomes comprised adherence, discontinuation and persistence to treatment, stratified by three exposure groups (high, moderate and low intensity). Discontinuation and persistence were calculated using the refill‐gap and anniversary methods, respectively. Proportion of days covered (PDC) was used as a proxy for adherence. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate discontinuation, and associations between adherence/persistence and statin intensity were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 73 716 patients with a mean age of 61.4 ± 12.6 years were included; the majority (88.3%) received moderate intensity statins. Discontinuation rates differed between intensity levels, with high‐intensity patients less likely to discontinue treatment compared to those on moderate intensity (prior cardiovascular disease [CVD]: HR 0.43 [95% CI 0.34‐0.55]; no prior CVD: 0.80 [0.74‐0.86]). Persistence declined over time, and high‐intensity patients had the highest persistence rates. Overall, 52.6% of patients were adherent to treatment (PDC ≥ 80%), but adherence was considerably higher among high‐intensity patients (63.7%).

Conclusion

High‐intensity statins were associated with better persistence and adherence to treatment, but overall long‐term persistence and adherence remain a challenge, particularly among patients without prior CVD. This needs addressing.

Trends in high intensity statin use among secondary prevention patients 76 years and older

Background:

High intensity statin therapy (HIST) is the gold standard therapy for decreasing the risk of recurrent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); however, little is known about the use of HIST in older adults with ASCVD.

Objectives:

The aim of this cross-sequential study was to determine trends in statin intensity in older adults over a 10-year timeframe.

Methods:

The study was conducted in an integrated healthcare delivery system. Patients were 76 years or older with validated coronary ASCVD. Data were collected from administrative databases. Statin intensity level was assessed in eligible patients on January 1st and July 1st from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2016.

Results:

Overall, a total of 5,453 patients were included with 2,119 (38.9%) and 3,334 (61.1%) categorized as HIST and Non-HIST, respectively. Included patients had a mean age of 79.8 years and were primarily male and white and had a cardiac intervention. The rate of HIST use increased from 14.5% to 41.3% over the study period (p<0.001 for trend). Conversely, the rates of moderate and low intensity statin use decreased from 61.8% and 9.8% to 41.2% and 4.8%, respectively (both p<0.001 for trend). Similar trends were identified for females and males.

Conclusions:

The percentage of patients with ASCVD 76 years and older who received HIST substantially increased from 2007 to 2016. This trend was identified in both females and males. Future comparative effectiveness research should be conducted in this patient population to examine cardiac-related outcomes with HIST and Non-HIST use.

Management of high cholesterol levels in older people

The management of hypercholesterolemia in older adults still represents a challenge in clinical medicine. The pathophysiological alterations of cholesterol metabolism associated with aging are still incompletely understood, even if epidemiological evidence suggests that serum cholesterol levels increase with ongoing age, possibly with a plateau after the age of 80 years. Age is also one of the main determinants of cardiovascular disease, according to all cardiovascular risk estimate tools. Cholesterol-lowering treatment, therefore, would be expected to bring significant protection, even in these patients. Unfortunately, direct experimental evidence is extremely limited, particularly in the very old age strata of the population; a clinical benefit still seems to be present, but the risk for drug-related adverse events is clearly higher. At any rate, at the present time, definite guidelines for the correct management of hypercholesterolemia in older patients are not available. Therefore, the decision whether or not a pharmacological treatment should be set up, and the choice of the drug, need to be tailored to the individual patient, and requires accurate clinical judgment. The specific aspects of frailty and disability, along with the actual age of the patients, have to be considered together, with a comprehensive assessment approach. The present review summarizes the evidence regarding the modifications of cholesterol metabolism in older patients, the impact of lipid-lowering drugs on cardiovascular outcomes and focuses on the considerations that can help to define the most appropriate treatment strategy, in view of the individual functional profile. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 375-383.

Temporal trends, determinants, and impact of high-intensity statin prescriptions after percutaneous coronary intervention: Results from a large single-center prospective registry

BACKGROUND

High-intensity statins (HIS) are recommended for secondary prevention following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We aimed to describe temporal trends and determinants of HIS prescriptions after PCI in a usual-care setting.

METHODS

All patients with age ≤75 years undergoing PCI between January 2011 and May 2016 at an urban, tertiary care center and discharged with available statin dosage data were included. HIS were defined as atorvastatin 40 or 80 mg, rosuvastatin 20 or 40 mg, and simvastatin 80 mg.

RESULTS

A total of 10,495 consecutive patients were included. Prevalence of HIS prescriptions nearly doubled from 36.6% in 2011 to 60.9% in 2016 (P < .001), with a stepwise increase each year after 2013. Predictors of HIS prescriptions included ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (odds ratio [OR] 4.60, 95% CI 3.98-5.32, P < .001) and unstable angina (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.19-1.45, P < .001) as index event, prior myocardial infarction (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.34-1.65, P < .001), and co-prescription of β-blocker (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.12-1.43, P < .001). Conversely, statin treatment at baseline (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77-0.96, P = .006), Asian races (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.65-0.83, P < .001), and older age (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.88-0.92, P < .001) were associated with reduced HIS prescriptions. There was no significant association between HIS prescriptions and 1-year rates of death, myocardial infarction, or target-vessel revascularization (adjusted hazard ratio 0.98, 95% CI 0.84-1.15, P = .84), although there was a trend toward reduced mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 0.71, 95% CI 0.50-1.00, P = .05).

CONCLUSION

Although the rate of HIS prescriptions after PCI has increased in recent years, important heterogeneity remains and should be addressed to improve practices in patients undergoing PCI.

Statin intensity and postoperative mortality following open repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm

Background

There is a lack of evidence for the association between intensive statin therapy and outcomes following vascular surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between perioperative statin intensity and in-hospital mortality following open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair.

Methods

Patients undergoing open AAA repair between 2009 and 2015 were identified from the Premier Healthcare Database. Statin use was classified into low, moderate and high intensity, based on American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guidelines. Supratherapeutic intensity was defined as doses higher than the recommended guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were undertaken to assess the association between statin intensity and postoperative major adverse events and in-hospital mortality.

Results

Of 6497 patients undergoing open AAA repair, 3217 (49·5 per cent) received perioperative statin. Statin users were more likely to present with three or more co-morbidities than non-users (26·5 versus 21·8 per cent; P < 0·001). Unadjusted postoperative mortality was significantly lower in statin users (2·6 versus 6·3 per cent; P < 0·001); however, there was no difference in the risk of developing major adverse events. Multivariable analysis showed that statin use was associated with lower odds of death (odds ratio 0·41, 95 per cent c.i. 0·31 to 0·54). Moderate, high and supratherapeutic statin intensities were not associated with lower odds of death or major adverse events compared with low-intensity statin therapy.

Conclusion

Statin use is associated with lower odds of death in hospital following open AAA repair. High-intensity statins were not associated with lower morbidity or mortality.

Prescription of statins at discharge and 1-year risk of major clinical outcomes among acute coronary syndromes patients with extremely low LDL-cholesterol in clinical pathways for acute coronary syndromes studies

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate statin description on discharge and the benefit on the long-term outcomes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS) patients with very low baseline LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c).

METHODS

This is a post-hoc analysis of 3374 ACS patients who were discharged alive and had baseline LDL-c levels below 70 mg/dL (1.8 mmol/L). The propensity score of using statin was estimated with a multivariable Logistic model including patient's demography, social economic status, cardiovascular risk factors, subtype of the diagnosis, and treatments received during hospitalization and current LDL-c level. The risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) was compared between patients received and not-received statin with Cox-regression models adjusting for the propensity score plus other factors. A sensitivity analysis was done in propensity score matched patients.

RESULTS

Compared with nonstatin group, the incidence of MACE at 12 months after discharge was lower in the statin group (11.1% vs 5.8%; P < 0.001). The propensity score plus other factors-adjusted hazard ratios for MACEs was significant (0.58; 95% CI: 0.39, 0.87). The effect showed a significant dose-response relationship (P for trend = 0.02). The results in analyses with propensity-score matched participants were in consistent with above findings. Analyses on total mortality in 12 months showed similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

Among ACS survivors with a very low baseline LDL-c, low to moderate intensity statin therapy was associated significantly with lower risk of MACEs and total mortality at 12 months. The results suggested that ACS survivors should take statin regardless of the baseline of LDL-c.

Underutilization of Statin Therapy for Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Among Older Adults

Secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) clinical trials have demonstrated that higher intensity levels of statin therapy are more effective than lower levels in reducing mortality rates. Despite updated treatment guidelines, statin therapy may be underutilized, with evidence that females are treated less aggressively than males. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of statin utilization by varying therapy intensity by sex. The secondary objective was to document the benefits of statin therapy intensity levels on all-cause mortality for males and females. A 25% random sample of adults ≥65 years was utilized to identify those with established CVD. Inclusion criteria included: (1) 12-month pre period and (2) up to 30 months post period. Five categories of statin utilization were established: adherent to high-, moderate-, or low-intensity statin therapy, nonadherent, and no statins. Among eligible insureds (N = 49,530 males; N = 44,710 females), 20% of males and 12% of females were identified as high-intensity statin users. Mortality rates significantly increased similarly for males and females as statin therapy intensity decreased. Likewise, mortality hazard ratios indicated the most benefit from high-intensity statin therapy compared to all other categories. Statin therapy for secondary prevention of CVD is beneficial in reducing mortality for males and females but is underutilized, especially among females. Education programs among patients to increase heart health awareness and among physicians to promote the benefits of updated statin guidelines should be encouraged.

Serum lipid profile, sleep-disordered breathing and blood pressure in the elderly: a 10-year follow-up of the PROOF-SYNAPSE cohort

OBJECTIVES

Dyslipidemia, sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and hypertension are comorbid factors evidenced in adults, but poorly studied in old people. This study aimed to examine the long-term evolution of the serum lipid profile, and its relationships with SDB and blood pressure (BP) in the elderly.

METHODS

A ten-year follow-up of the prospective Prognostic Indicator of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events (PROOF) and the Autonomic Nervous System Activity, Aging and Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea (SYNAPSE) cohort, which initially included 1011 elderly subjects from the general population, and who were untreated by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Serum lipid profile, respiratory polygraphy for SDB and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 266 subjects (male/female 150/116; age 66.2 ± 0.8 years) were reassessed after 9.6 ± 0.7 years (age 75.8 ± 1.2 years). The prevalence of high-risk dyslipidemia decreased from 61.3 to 44.4%, and hypertension from 57.9 to 27.4%. The nocturnal oxygen desaturation index increased (mean + 2.3 ± 6.7 events/hour; p < 0.001), while the mean SaO₂ and minimal SaO₂ decreased. These variations (Δ) of oxygen desaturation worsened whether or not elderly subjects took anti-hypertensive and lipid-lowering treatments, and were not associated with serum lipid variations. The decrease in diurnal diastolic BP was independently associated with aging, and with the lowering of the waist/hip ratio (ΔW/H) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, while the decrease in diurnal systolic BP only depended on aging and ΔW/H.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested that the observed worsening of nocturnal oxygen desaturation after 10 years in the elderly was independent of the change in circulating lipids, and not influenced by lipid-lowering treatments. However, the variation in blood pressure remained associated with aging, waist/hip and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios.

TRIAL REGISTRY

NCT00759304 and NCT00766584 at clinicaltrials.gov.

Analyzing cardiovascular treatment guidelines application to women and minority populations

Despite nearly 30 years of treatment guidelines for cardiovascular diseases and risk factors and a parallel growth in the understanding of cardiovascular disease disparities by sex and race/ethnicity, such disparities persist. The goals of this review are to consider the possible role of three factors: the one-size-fits-all approach of most treatment guidelines, adoption of guideline-recommended treatments in clinical practice, and patient adherence to recommended practice, especially the relationship between adherence and patient perceptions. Guideline authors repeatedly call for more inclusion of women and minorities in the clinical trials that make guidelines possible, but despite challenges, guidelines are largely effective when implemented, as shown by a wealth of post hoc analyses. However, the data also suggest that one-size-fits-all treatment guidelines are not sufficiently generalizable and there is evidence of a distinct lag time between definitive clinical evidence and its widespread implementation. Patient perspectives may also play both a direct and indirect role in adherence to treatments. What emerges from the literature is an important continuing need for increased inclusion of women and minority subgroups in clinical trials to allow analyses that can provide evidence for differential treatments when needed. Increased effort is needed to implement definitive clinical improvements more rapidly. Patient input and feedback may also help inform clinical practice and clinical research with a better understanding of how to enhance patient adherence, but evidence for this is lacking for the groups most affected by disparities.

Hypolipidemic drugs in elderly subjects: Indications and limits

AIMS

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death worldwide. Safety and efficacy of lipid lowering therapy have been clearly established for either primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events in adults. Nevertheless, the use of hypolipidemic drugs in elderly individuals, especially in the oldest ones, still raises some concerns. Aim of this paper is to review indications and limits of lipid lowering in advanced age, furnishing a practical medical attitude tempered by clinical and geriatric competences.

DATA SYNTHESIS

While figures from randomized controlled trials and from observational studies seem to support the use of lipid lowering drugs for secondary prevention in the elderly, drawing inferences from primary prevention in old populations is far more challenging. Although these pharmacological agents seem to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, they do not prolong survival. In addition, there is some doubt about the cost-effectiveness of treatment because of a more delicate balance between benefit and potential adverse reactions. However, lipid-lowering drugs seem largely underutilized in older age, mainly due to safety concerns that must be reconsidered, at least in part, given the somewhat reassuring results deriving from specific cohort surveys.

CONCLUSIONS

Data on the use and on the effects of lipid lowering drugs in elderly populations are incomplete, especially those concerning very old subjects without established cardiovascular disease. Comprehensive guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias in this rapidly-growing population is a urgent need, and treatment should be based, besides the aforementioned considerations, on patient preferences, cognitive function and life expectancy.

Higher prevalence of elevated LDL-C than non-HDL-C and low statin treatment rate in elderly community-dwelling Chinese with high cardiovascular risk

Lipid levels are increasing in all age groups in the Chinese population, but the use of statin treatment in the elderly is not well documented. We examined serum lipids, statin usage and achievement of lipid goals in 3950 subjects aged ≥65 years. Established CVD was present in 7.77% of participants and increased CVD risk was common. Elevated LDL-C according to CVD risk level was present in 46.70% of all subjects and was more frequent (p < 0.01) than elevated non-HDL-C at 32.58%. With increasing age, LDL-C was unchanged but triglycerides and non-HDL-C decreased and HDL-C increased. Individuals at moderate risk for CVD had higher TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C than low-risk subjects, but the values were lower in high- and very-high-risk individuals, probably because of the use of statin which was 28.57% in high-risk subjects with established CVD and 37.60% in very-high-risk individuals, but only 2.62% in those with estimated high-risk and 3.75% in those with high-risk from diabetes. More subjects in each risk group reached the non-HDL-C goal than the LDL-C goal because of the relatively low triglycerides and VLDL-C levels. These findings demonstrate a high prevalence of elevated LDL-C but low rate of statin treatment in elderly community-dwelling Chinese.