Authors say findings show gaps between practice and guideline-based care<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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TUESDAY, Sept. 19, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), high-intensity statins are underutilized in routine care, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes<\/em>.<\/p>\n Ann Marie Navar, M.D., Ph.D., from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and colleagues examined use of statins and other lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) and changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) among patients with ASCVD. The analysis included electronic health record-derived data from outpatient visits for 322,153 patients with ASCVD (Cerner Real-World Data from 92 U.S. health systems 2017 through 2018).<\/p>\n The researchers found that 76.1 percent of patients were on statins, with only 39.4 percent on high-intensity statins. Compared with women, men were more likely to receive high-intensity statins (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.34). Lower odds of statin use were seen with increasing age (OR, 0.79 per five-year increase at 60 years). Compared with patients with coronary heart disease, patients with peripheral artery disease (OR, 0.40) and cerebrovascular disease (OR, 0.75) had lower odds of using high-intensity statins. Most patients (61.3 percent) at baseline had elevated LDL-C (\u00e2\u0089\u00a570 mg\/dL), including 59.8 percent of those on low\/moderate-intensity statins and 76.1 percent on no statin. At one year, only 45.3 percent achieved an LDL-C <70 mg\/dL. Nonstatin LLT use was low. Among patients on no statin or low\/moderate-intensity statin at baseline, at one year, 14.8 and 13.4 percent, respectively, were on high-intensity statins.<\/p>\n “Concerted efforts are needed to address therapeutic inertia for lipid management in patients with ASCVD,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n