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

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk; Colesterol de las lipoproteínas de baja densidad; Dislipidemia; Dyslipidaemia; LDLc targets; Low density lipoprotein cholesterol; Objetivos cLDL; Riesgo cardiovascular.