Insufficient use of lipid-lowering drugs and measurement of serum cholesterol among patients with a history of myocardial infarction
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Insufficient use of lipid-lowering drugs and measurement of serum cholesterol among patients with a history of myocardial infarction. / Larsen, John; Andersen, Morten; Bjerrum, Lars; Kragstrup, Jakob; Gram, Lars F.
In: Journal of Cardiovascular Risk, Vol. 10, No. 1, 02.2003, p. 61-4.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Insufficient use of lipid-lowering drugs and measurement of serum cholesterol among patients with a history of myocardial infarction
AU - Larsen, John
AU - Andersen, Morten
AU - Bjerrum, Lars
AU - Kragstrup, Jakob
AU - Gram, Lars F
PY - 2003/2
Y1 - 2003/2
N2 - BACKGROUND: The effect of lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) on coronary heart disease is well documented, particularly in patients with established ischaemic heart disease. However, intensity of the use of these drugs is low. The aim of this linkage study was to analyse the use of serum cholesterol measurements and LLDs among patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) in a Danish population.METHODS: Information on serum cholesterol values was retrieved from the hospital's Department of Clinical Chemistry for all patients from the Odense municipality and four surrounding municipalities (213,868 inhabitants) hospitalised at Odense University Hospital for MI between 1994-1997. Information on LLD use was obtained from a prescription database. Only patients alive at discharge were included in the investigation. The total observation period was from 1993-1998.RESULTS: In all, 1,018 patients were eligible for observation and 39% of the patients who met the criteria for LLD reimbursement (MI and serum cholesterol >5.4 mmol/L) started treatment. Relatively more males than females and relatively more patients under the age of 70 years were treated. Patients above the age of 70 years were prescribed these drugs at a slower rate.CONCLUSIONS: More attention to the insufficient use of lipid-lowering drug treatment in patients with established coronary heart disease is needed.
AB - BACKGROUND: The effect of lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs) on coronary heart disease is well documented, particularly in patients with established ischaemic heart disease. However, intensity of the use of these drugs is low. The aim of this linkage study was to analyse the use of serum cholesterol measurements and LLDs among patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) in a Danish population.METHODS: Information on serum cholesterol values was retrieved from the hospital's Department of Clinical Chemistry for all patients from the Odense municipality and four surrounding municipalities (213,868 inhabitants) hospitalised at Odense University Hospital for MI between 1994-1997. Information on LLD use was obtained from a prescription database. Only patients alive at discharge were included in the investigation. The total observation period was from 1993-1998.RESULTS: In all, 1,018 patients were eligible for observation and 39% of the patients who met the criteria for LLD reimbursement (MI and serum cholesterol >5.4 mmol/L) started treatment. Relatively more males than females and relatively more patients under the age of 70 years were treated. Patients above the age of 70 years were prescribed these drugs at a slower rate.CONCLUSIONS: More attention to the insufficient use of lipid-lowering drug treatment in patients with established coronary heart disease is needed.
KW - Adult
KW - Age Factors
KW - Aged
KW - Chi-Square Distribution
KW - Cholesterol/blood
KW - Denmark
KW - Drug Utilization/statistics & numerical data
KW - Female
KW - Humans
KW - Hypolipidemic Agents/therapeutic use
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Myocardial Infarction/prevention & control
U2 - 10.1097/01.hjr.0000048740.87586.f8
DO - 10.1097/01.hjr.0000048740.87586.f8
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 12569238
VL - 10
SP - 61
EP - 64
JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Risk
JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Risk
SN - 1350-6277
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 324178060