A national study on lipid management

Jotkowitz, Alan B.; Novack, Victor; Rabinowitz, Gad; Segal, Anat Raskin; Weitzman, Ron; Porath, Avi

doi:10.1016/j.ejim.2007.10.011

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Volume 19, Issue 5 , Pages 356-361, July 2008

A national study on lipid management☆

Alan B. Jotkowitz
- Department of Internal Medicine “F”, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Corresponding author. Soroka University Medical Center, Box 151 Pnimit Vav, Beer-Sheva, 84101, Israel. Tel.: +972 86403355.
Victor Novack
- Department of Internal Medicine “F”, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Harvard Clinical Research Institute, Boston, USA
Gad Rabinowitz
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Anat Raskin Segal
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Ron Weitzman
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Avi Porath
- Department of Internal Medicine “F”, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Received 31 May 2007; received in revised form 9 September 2007; accepted 8 October 2007. published online 28 November 2007.

Abstract

Background

Hyperlipidemia remains a major cause of morbidity in Western countries. The objective of this study was to document the percentage of adults who underwent periodical LDL measurement, and the percentage of patients with diabetes and post-angioplasty who were treated to goal.

Methods

Using a national database, data were obtained on the percentage of adults who had an LDL performed and the percentage of adults with an LDL at pre-specified levels. We also assessed the attainment of target LDL levels in diabetic and post-angioplasty patients. Data were also collected from patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) admitted to seven hospitals within a 5 year period (2000–2004).

Results

Primary prevention: In 2005, 64.6% of the total population of 754,910 aged 35–44 had at least one record of LDL cholesterol measurement documented. This figure was 79.6% in the 717,617 adults aged 45–54.

Secondary prevention: Of 253,233 diabetics in 2005, 220,023 (86.9%) have undergone at least one annual LDL measurement.

The percentage of patients on statin therapy 3 and 12 months after an ACS admission increased significantly during the years 2000–2004 and reached 87%.

Of the 42,292 patients who underwent PTCA during 2005, 34,346 (81.2%) have purchased at least 3 prescriptions of statins during 2005, 35,261 (83.4%) have performed at least one LDL measurement and 57.8% attained an LDL level of <100 mg/dl.

Conclusions

We have shown an improvement in primary and secondary preventions of CV disease as documented by LDL measured and attainment of treatment goals, but further efforts are needed.

Keywords: Hyperlipidemia, Cardiovascular disease, Prevention, Statins, Diabetes, PTCA