[Prevalence of inapropriate LDL cholesterol levels in patients with coronary disease and/or type 2 diabetes]

Patients who suffer a first atherosclerotic cardiovascular event while taking statins are often far off of lipid targets

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Despite considerable evidence that lipid-lowering therapies (LLTs) afford clinical benefit, the control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is suboptimal, and available LLTs are underused, especially in patients at high and very high cardiovascular (CV) risk. This study assesses the real-world LDL-C target attainment rate in patients on LLT before experiencing a first major acute cardiovascular event (MACE).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The HEARTBEAT was a retrospective, multicentre observational study. From March to June 2021 a total of 334 patients on LLT who had a first MACE while being on statins were included in the study. Of these patients, 83.2 % had a high (40.7 %) or very high CV risk (29.0 %) prior to MACE. Overall, 87.5 % and 89.7 % of the patients at high and very high CV risk, respectively, failed to reach the LDL-C target. Regarding LLTs, only 11.8 % and 19.6 % of the patients at high and very high risk had received high-intensity LLTs prior to MACE. It was estimated that if these patients had reached their recommended LDL-C targets, the risk of MACE may have been reduced by a median of 24.5 % and 23.2 % in patients at high and very high risk respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who suffer a first MACE while on statin therapy often were at high/very high CV risk. Despite their risk, LDL-levels and being on statins they are undertreated, and too far from lipid targets. A proper use of high-intensity LLTs led to an increase attainment of LDL targets and lower CV events.

Degree of lipid control in a Healthcare Management Area in patients at very high cardiovascular risk

INTRODUCTION

The latest cardiovascular risk guides, European and American, establish hard lipid control objectives, that suppose a therapeutic challenge for both, doctor and patient. The objective of this study is determine the degree of adequacy of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (LDLc) presented by patients with very high cardiovascular risk in our healthcare area, with respect to European and American cardiovascular risk guidelines.

METHODS

This is an observational and retrospective study of 446 patients discharged between June 2017 and June 2018 with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, ischemic stroke and peripheral arterial disease. We have defined a series of variables among which we want to highlight the levels of LDLc at admission, and its follow-up at discharge, in order to know the degree of lipid control according to current European guidelines, which set the threshold to consider optimal control in patients of very high cardiovascular risk, below 55mg/dl.

RESULTS

The revised data indicates a control of the patients in 36.6% according to the 2016 guidelines (LDLc <70mg/dl) and 14.8% according to the current 2019 guidelines (LDLc <55mg/dl), 75.3% of them received lipid lowering treatment. We have also found that the number of absolute events increases exponentially depending on the levels of LDLc, being more evident in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we demonstrated that the adequacy of the vascular risk clinical practice guidelines is insufficient in the population with very high vascular risk, in line with other published studies, further studies would be needed to determine the causes. A solution to this problem could be collaboration with the Internal Medicine service that has been launched in our healthcare area in order to derivate patients to the Vascular Consultation whom could be beneficiated by the administration of the PCSK9 inhibitors.

[Analysis of patients with type 2 diabetes in an urban Primary Healthcare centre. DESENROQUE Study]

OBJECTIVES

To determine the health status of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in an urban Primary Healthcare centre, and to assess the follow-up carried out by health professionals. To analyse the pharmacological treatment in patients with T2D, as well as to assess the individualisation according to their comorbidities.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive and cross-sectional analysis conducted on patients with DM2. Out of a total of 920 patients, a randomised and simple sample of 460 individuals was obtained, from which the parameters related to associated comorbidities and the integral treatment of T2D were collected.

RESULTS

The study included 460 patients (42.4% women) with a mean age of 67.1 years (SD=13.07). The mean value of their last HbA1c was 6.75% (SD=1.24). The large majority (83.7%) fulfilled the proposed individualised HbA1c objectives according to their age and comorbidities. Approximately two-thirds (65.43%) of patients had a suboptimal follow-up by health professionals. As regards the suitability of the treatment, 19.8% had non-recommended pharmacological combinations or drugs applied outside the indications of the data sheet. A comprehensive T2D treatment that could be improved was observed in 74.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 83.7% of patients had good control of HbA1c, the treatment is centred on blood glucose and improvable in a high percentage of patients (74.3%). Given that the therapy must be adjusted to the needs of each patient, and since the BMI (body mass index) is a determining factor for the selection of treatment, it is striking that it is not recorded in the clinical histories of 44.13% of the patients.

The prevalence and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia in type 2 diabetic patients in the autonomous Region of Cantabria

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Dyslipidemia is one of the main risk factors in cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia in the population with diabetes mellitus type 2 in the region of Cantabria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is a transversal study carried out at Cantabrian primary health care centres (n=680). A representative, random sample of the population with DM2, ranging from 18-85, was selected using a multistage procedure. The medical records were obtained, and by means of interviews the data of the risk factors to be studied was secured. The correlation with dyslipidemia was analysed by means of logistic regression.

RESULTS

There were 52.1% of males, the average age was 69.8, the evolution of diabetes was 9.99 years, 84.3% had arterial hypertension, 76.6% were overweight or obese and the average HbA1c was 6.96%. The prevalence of dyslipidemia was 85.3%, and in the bivariate analysis this is associated with a history of peripheral artery disease, controlled diabetes, antihypertensive treatment, glomerular filtration, HbA1c>7%, body fat estimated as being either overweight or obese, a history of cardiovascular disease, age and HbA1c. In the multivariate analysis the independent factors were being female and a history of cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of dyslipidemia in our study was 85.3%, and is consistent with figures found in previous published studies. The independent associated risk factors were being female and a past medical history of cardiovascular disease.

Causes of failure to achieve the low density lipoprotein cholesterol therapeutic target in patients with high and very high vascular risk controlled in Lipid and Vascular Risk Units. EROMOT study

OBJECTIVES

Determination of the level of achievement of the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) therapeutic target in patients with high and very high vascular risk treated in Lipid Units, as well as the causes of non-achievement.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Multicentre retrospective observational study that included patients over 18 years with high and very high vascular risk, according to the criteria of the 2012 European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, referred consecutively to Lipid Units between January and June 2012 and with follow-up two years after the first visit.

RESULTS

The study included a total of 243 patients from 16 lipid units. The mean age was 52.2 years (SD 13.7), of whom 62.6% were males, and 40.3% of them were very high risk. At the first visit, 86.8% (25.1% in combination) and 95.0% (47.3% in combination) in the second visit (P<.001) were treated with lipid-lowering treatment. The therapeutic target was achieved by 28% (95 CI: 22.4-34.1). As regards the causes of non-achievement, 24.6% were related to the medication (10.3% maximum tolerated dose and 10.9% due to the appearance of adverse effects), 43.4% due to the physician (19.4% by inertia, 13.7% considering that target already reached), and 46.9% due to the patient, highlighting the therapeutic non-compliance (31,4%).

CONCLUSIONS

LDL-C targets were achieved in about one-third of patients. The low adherence of the patient, followed by medical inertia are the most frequent causes that can explain these results.

[Dyslipidemia management in patients with high cardiovascular risk in Spain. ALMA study]

Objetivo

Evaluar la actitud de los médicos de atención primaria (MAP) y de atención especializada (MAE) ante el tratamiento de pacientes con dislipemia, especialmente en aquellos con factores de riesgo cardiovascular (RCV).

Diseño

Estudio observacional, descriptivo, multicéntrico, basado en una encuesta.

Emplazamiento

Diferentes áreas sanitarias de España.

Participantes

1.402 MAP y 596 MAE.

Mediciones principales

Perfil de los médicos, hábitos de tratamiento en pacientes con dislipemia.

Resultados

El 84,3% consideraban el RCV para establecer el tratamiento. El objetivo de concentración de cLDL en pacientes sin factores de RCV fue < 130 mg/dl y < 160 mg/dl para el 51,9 y el 29,0%, respectivamente. En pacientes con hipertensión, tabaquismo o diabetes el objetivo de cLDL fue < 100 mg/dl para el 49-55%, mientras que en pacientes con complicación cardiovascular, cardiopatía isquémica o ictus fue < 70 mg/dl para el 71-88%. El fármaco de elección en pacientes sin factores de RCV fue atorvastatina (66%), mientras que en pacientes con diabetes, enfermedad renal o síndrome metabólico fue pitavastatina (80-89%). Los MAE mostraron una mayor tendencia que los MAP a considerar un objetivo de cLDL < 70 mg/dl en pacientes con antecedentes de ictus (77,5% vs 66,8%) o enfermedad coronaria (92,1% vs 80,6%) (p < 0,0001), y una mayor preferencia por el tratamiento combinado al no alcanzar el objetivo de cLDL (58,1% vs 50,2%; p = 0,0013).

Conclusiones

Aunque el cálculo del RCV se acepta de forma general, existe disparidad en los objetivos del cLDL. Los MAE consideran unos objetivos más ambiciosos y la asociación de fármacos hipolipemiantes con más frecuencia que los MAP.

[Lipid control in patients with coronary artery disease in a healthcare area in Cáceres (Spain): LIPICERES study]

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Current guidelines recommend a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) target of <70mg/dl for patients with coronary artery disease. Despite the well-established benefits of strict lipid control, the most recent studies show that control rate of lipid targets are alarmingly low. An analysis was performed on the lipid targets attained according to current guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in coronary patients in a Caceres healthcare area.

METHODS

An observational and cross-sectional study was carried out in a healthcare area in Caceres (Spain). The study included a total of 741 patients admitted for coronary disease between 2009 and 2015 with available lipid profile in the last 3 years Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), triglycerides (TG) and non-HDLc were analysed.

RESULTS

The majority (74.4%) of patients were male, with a mean age of 68.5±13.1 years; 76.3±11.8 for women and 65.8±12.6 for men (P<.001). A total of 52.3% patients achieved the LDLc target of <70mg/dl, with no gender differences. Only 44.8% of the patients <55 years achieved their lipid targets, compared to 59.3% of the patients >75 years. About 68.2% of men had an HDLc>40mg/dl, and 54.8% of women had an HDLc>50mg/dl. Overall, 79.4% of patients had a TG<150mg/dl, with no gender differences, and 59.8% had a non-HDLc<100mg/dl.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one half of patients with coronary disease do not achieve their target lipid levels as defined in the European guidelines, and this rate is less than reported in previous studies. There are no gender differences in achieving lipid goals, and age is a predictor of adherence.

[Map of resources and healthcare needs for patients with dyslipidaemia in Spain: The MADI study]

INTRODUCTION

Dyslipidaemia is a major modifiable determining factor of vascular risk and, despite this, a significant number of patients do not achieve lipid goals. The aim of this study is to describe the resources and current needs in clinical practice in Spain, through an analysis of management, organisation and the patient care circuit of dyslipidaemia patient.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicentre study, using a questionnaire, was conducted on physicians, 266 in primary care (PC) and 258 in specialised care (SC), who attended patients with dyslipidaemia in hospitals and centres within the National Health System. Probabilistic analyses were performed, stratifying by care-level, existence of a lipid unit (LU), and geographic area.

RESULTS

Observed differences were mostly due to geographic location, rather than the existence of LU in the referral hospitals. Most system deficiencies were found in the southern provinces of the country. Nearly all primary care physicians declared that they diagnose, manage and control dyslipidaemia patients, but a general agreement was lacking for diagnostic and referral criteria. The scarce use of a shared protocol between PC and SC showed evidence of poor coordination between health care providers. Furthermore, there was a remarkably low proportion of patients receiving health care education for their disease.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasises the need to identify weaknesses in the dyslipidaemia patient care circuit, and to perform the appropriate remedial actions, in particular, to promote coordination between levels of care and to foster patient education about their disease.

Degree of Lipid Control in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease and Measures Adopted by Physicians. REPAR Study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Lipid control is insufficient in patients with coronary heart disease but this situation may be improving with the implementation of the latest clinical practice guidelines. The aim of this study was to analyze whether target values of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are achieved and to identify associated factors and physicians' attitudes to deficient control.

METHODS

We conducted a national, multicenter, prospective, observational study of 1103 patients with stable coronary heart disease, analyzing lipid values and a broad set of clinical variables. The statistical analysis involved a binary logistic regression model using backward stepwise elimination.

RESULTS

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was < 70 mg/dL in only 26% of patients, even though 95.3% were receiving cholesterol-lowering agents, 45% of which were high-intensity therapies. Independent predictors of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol < 70 mg/dL were diabetes mellitus, wholegrain bread, shorter history of dyslipidemia, and, especially, high-intensity cholesterol-lowering therapies. Physicians increased therapy in only 26% of poorly controlled patients. The main predictor of increased therapy was low-intensity baseline therapy (odds ratio=5.05; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-9.2). A more proactive approach was observed in older physicians (P=.019) and longer physician practice (P=.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the new guidelines, only 26% of patients with coronary heart disease have adequate lipid control. In 70% of patients, physicians continue the same therapy, even though high-intensity cholesterol-lowering therapies are a key factor in good control.

Risk factors and therapeutic coverage at 6 years in patients with previous myocardial infarction: the CASTUO study

OBJECTIVES

To determine the degree of risk factor control, the clinical symptoms and the therapeutic management of patients with a history of previous myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study at 6 years of a first episode of acute myocardial infarction between 2000 and 2009, admitted at a hospital in the region of Extremadura (Spain). Of 2177 patients with this diagnosis, 1365 remained alive and therefore were included in the study.

RESULTS

We conducted a person-to-person survey in 666 (48.8%) individuals and telephone survey in 437 (31.9%) individuals. The former are analysed. 130 were female (19.5%). The mean age was 67.4 years and the median time since the event was 5.8 (IQR 3.6-8.2) years. Active smokers made up 13.8%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was ≥70 mg/dL: 82%, blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg (≥140/85 in diabetics): 49.8%, fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL: 26%, heart rate 50-59 bpm: 60.7%, and obesity: 45.9%. Patients reported presenting angina comprised 22.4% and those with dyspnoea, 29.3%. Drug coverage was: 88.0% antiplatelet drugs, 86.5% statins, 75.6% β-blockers and 65.8% blockers of the renin-angiotensin system. Patients receiving all four types of drugs made up 41.9%, with only 3.0% having jointly controlled cholesterol, blood pressure, heart rate and glycaemia.

CONCLUSIONS

LDL cholesterol, heart rate and blood pressure were risk factors with less control. More than 1/5 of patients had angina and more than 1/4, dyspnoea. Risk factor control and the clinical condition were far from optimal, as was drug coverage, although to a lesser degree.

Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of Hypercholesterolemia in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients: Evidences from a Systematic Literature Review in Spain

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major Public Health burden. High serum cholesterol levels have been linked to major CV risk. The objectives of this study were to review the epidemiology of hypercholesterolemia in high risk CV patients from Spain, by assessing its prevalence, the proportion of diagnosed patients undergoing pharmacological treatment and the degree of attained lipid control.

Methods

A systematic literature review was carried out using Medline and two Spanish databases. Manuscripts containing information on hypercholesterolemia in several high CV risk groups [diabetes mellitus (DM), Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) risk >5, or documented CVD], published between January 2010 and October 2014, were included.

Results

Of the 1947 published references initially retrieved, a full-text review was done on 264 manuscripts and 120 were finally included. Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia ranged from 50 to 84% in diabetics, 30–60% in patients with DM or elevated SCORE risk, 64–74% with coronary heart disease, 40–70% in stroke patients, and 60–80% in those with peripheral artery disease. Despite the finding that most of them were on pharmacological treatment, acceptable control of serum lipids was very variable, ranging from 15% to 65%. Among those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, 95–100% received treatment but less than 50% achieved their therapeutic goals.

Conclusions

An elevated prevalence of hypercholesterolemia can be found in targeted groups at high CV risk. Although most patients are receiving pharmacological treatment, rates of lipid control continue to be low, both in primary and secondary prevention.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12325-015-0252-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Control of cardiovascular risk factors in revascularized patients with diabetes: a subanalysis of the ICP-Bypass study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with type 2 diabetes and revascularized coronary disease are a group with very high cardiovascular risk that has been rarely studied. This ICP-Bypass substudy analyzes the clinical characteristics and risk factor control of these patients.

METHODS

The analysis selected patients with type 2 diabetes who had participated in an earlier multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study (ICP-Bypass) conducted in 2293 patients > 18 years of age who had undergone coronary surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention. Demographic and therapeutic variables, as well as clinical and analytical parameters, were collected and comparatively analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean age (standard deviation) of the 771 diabetic patients included in the analysis was 67.7 (9.6) years (71.4% men; mean time since revascularization, 3.5 years). Most (57.8%) were receiving treatment with oral hypoglycemics alone, whereas 30.4% were receiving insulin alone or in combination. The mean glycohemoglobin figure was 7.1% (in 70%,<7.5%); 74.8% had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia. Mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was 93.5 mg/dL (in 73%, > 70 mg/dL). Among these patients, 93.6% were receiving statins and 18.7% a statin combined with ezetimib. A total of 78.1% had been diagnosed with hypertension; systolic/diastolic blood pressure was < 130/80 mmHg in 52% and < 140/90 mmHg in 93%.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular risk and prevention may be improved in revascularized diabetic patients in Spain through further control of risk factors, particularly dyslipidemia. Patients with glycohemoglobin > 7.5% should be individually assessed in terms of glycemic targets.

[LDL cholesterol control in patients with very high cardiovascular risk. A simplified algorithm for achieving LDL cholesterol goals "in two steps"]

Reducing low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) is the main lipid goal of treatment for patients with very high cardiovascular risk. In these patients the therapeutic goal is to achieve a LDL-c lower than 70 mg/dL, as recommended by the guidelines for cardiovascular prevention commonly used in Spain and Europe. However, the degree of achieving these objectives in this group of patients is very low. This article describes the prevalence of the problem and the causes that motivate it. Recommendations and tools that can facilitate the design of an optimal treatment strategy for achieving the goals are also given. In addition, a new tool with a simple algorithm that can allow these very high risk patients to achieve the goals "in two-steps", i.e., with only two doctor check-ups, is presented.

[Achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol therapeutic goal in lipid and vascular risk units of the Spanish Arteriosclerosis Society]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLc) goal achievement among dyslipidemic patients treated in lipid and vascular risk units of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis (SEA). The LDLc goal was based on the 2007 European guidelines for cardiovascular prevention.

DESIGN

Observational, longitudinal, retrospective, multicenter national study that included consecutive patients of both sexes over 18 years of age referred for dyslipidemia and cardiovascular risk. Information was collected from medical records corresponding to two visits in the lipid unit.

RESULTS

We included 1,828 patients from 43 lipid units. In the initial visit, 846 (46.3%) patients were on lipid lowering drug treatment. On the follow-up there was a significant increase in the use of cholesterol-lowering agents, except for a decrease in the use of nicotinic acid. 65.3% of patients with vascular disease and 50.4% with diabetes achieved an LDLc level <100mg/dL. Overall, 44.7% of patients achieved the LDLc goal and the predictors in the multivariate analysis were age, waist circumference, diabetes and the presence of vascular disease.

CONCLUSION

Dyslipidemic patients referred to SEA lipid units have improved LDLc goal achievement after follow-up compared with data reported from previous studies in other health care settings. This improvement was associated with a substantial increase in the prescription of statins, both in monotherapy and combined with ezetimibe. There is still a wide room for improvement in the effectiveness of hypercholesterolemia treatment.