scholarly journals Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Target Attainment in Patients With Established Cardiovascular Disease: Analysis of Routine Care Data

10.2196/16400 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e16400
Author(s):  
T Katrien J Groenhof ◽  
Daniel Kofink ◽  
Michiel L Bots ◽  
Hendrik M Nathoe ◽  
Imo E Hoefer ◽  
...  

Background Direct feedback on quality of care is one of the key features of a learning health care system (LHS), enabling health care professionals to improve upon the routine clinical care of their patients during practice. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the potential of routine care data extracted from electronic health records (EHRs) in order to obtain reliable information on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) management in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients referred to a tertiary care center. Methods We extracted all LDL-c measurements from the EHRs of patients with a history of CVD referred to the University Medical Center Utrecht. We assessed LDL-c target attainment at the time of referral and per year. In patients with multiple measurements, we analyzed LDL-c trajectories, truncated at 6 follow-up measurements. Lastly, we performed a logistic regression analysis to investigate factors associated with improvement of LDL-c at the next measurement. Results Between February 2003 and December 2017, 250,749 LDL-c measurements were taken from 95,795 patients, of whom 23,932 had a history of CVD. At the time of referral, 51% of patients had not reached their LDL-c target. A large proportion of patients (55%) had no follow-up LDL-c measurements. Most of the patients with repeated measurements showed no change in LDL-c levels over time: the transition probability to remain in the same category was up to 0.84. Sequence clustering analysis showed more women (odds ratio 1.18, 95% CI 1.07-1.10) in the cluster with both most measurements off target and the most LDL-c measurements furthest from the target. Timing of drug prescription was difficult to determine from our data, limiting the interpretation of results regarding medication management. Conclusions Routine care data can be used to provide feedback on quality of care, such as LDL-c target attainment. These routine care data show high off-target prevalence and little change in LDL-c over time. Registrations of diagnosis; follow-up trajectory, including primary and secondary care; and medication use need to be improved in order to enhance usability of the EHR system for adequate feedback.

Author(s):  
Ali Allahyari ◽  
Tomas Jernberg ◽  
Dominik Lautsch ◽  
Pia Lundman ◽  
Emil Hagström ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims To assess low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment target attainment among myocardial infarction (MI) patients according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) dyslipidaemia guidelines from 2011 (LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L or ≥50% LDL-C reduction) and 2016 (LDL-C < 1.8 mmol/L and ≥50% LDL-C reduction). Methods and results Using nationwide registers, we identified 44 890 patients aged 21–74 admitted for MI, 2013–17. We included those attending follow-up visits at 6–10 weeks (n = 25 466) and 12–14 months (n = 17 117) after the event. Most patients received high-intensity statin monotherapy [84.3% (6–10 weeks) and 69.0% (12–14 months)] or statins with ezetimibe (2.7% and 10.2%). The proportion of patients attaining the 2011 LDL-C target was 63.8% (6–10 weeks) and 63.5% (12–14 months). The corresponding numbers for the 2016 LDL-C target were 31.6% (6–10 weeks) and 31.5% (12–14 months). At the 6- to 10-week follow-up, 37% of those not attaining the 2011 LDL-C target and 48% of those not attaining the 2016 target had an LDL-C level that was ≥0.5 mmol/L from the target. When comparing LDL-C measurements performed before vs. after the release of the 2016 guidelines, attainment of the 2016 LDL-C target increased from 30.2% to 35.0% (6–10 weeks) and from 27.6% to 37.6% (12–14 months). Conclusion In a nationwide register, one out of three patients with a recent MI had not attained the LDL-C target of the 2011 ESC/EAS guidelines and two out of three patients had not attained the LDL-C target of the 2016 guidelines.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuichi Kawamoto ◽  
Asuka Kikuchi ◽  
Taichi Akase ◽  
Daisuke Ninomiya ◽  
Teru Kumagi

Abstract Background: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) independently impacts aging-related health outcomes and plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, there are limited predictive data on all-cause mortality, especially for the Japanese community population. In this study, it was examined whether LDL-C is related to survival prognosis based on 7 or 10 years of follow-up.Methods: Participants included 1,610 men (63 ± 14 years old) and 2,074 women (65 ± 12 years old) who participated in the Nomura cohort study conducted in 2002 (first cohort) and 2014 (second cohort) and who continued throughout the follow-up periods (follow-up rates: 94.8% and 98.0%). Adjusted relative risk estimates were obtained for all-cause mortality using a basic resident register. The data were analyzed by a Cox regression with age as the time variable and risk factors including gender; age; body mass index (BMI); presence of diabetes; lipid levels; renal function; serum uric acid levels; blood pressure; and history of smoking, drinking, and CVD.Results: Of the 3,684 participants, 326 (8.8%) were confirmed to be deceased. Of these, 180 were men (11.2% of all men) and 146 were women (7.0% of all women). The univariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality significantly increased with a decrease in LDL-C level (P < 0.001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis with adjustment variables showed that LDL-C grouping (HR: 0.71; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62–0.82), gender (HR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.51–0.93), age (HR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.08–1.11), BMI (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.54–0.86), history of CVD (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.03–1.82), and presence of diabetes (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.23–2.22) were significantly associated with all-cause mortality. Compared with individuals with LDL-C levels of 144 mg/dL or higher, the multivariate-adjusted HRs (95% CI) for all-cause mortality were 2.68 (1.67–4.28) for those with LDL-C levels under 70 mg/dL and 1.74 (1.17–2.59) for those with LDL-C levels between 70 and 92 mg/dL. Conclusions: There is an inverse relationship between the risk of all-cause mortality and LDL-C level, and this association is statistically significant.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Fairbairn ◽  
P Oh ◽  
R Goeree ◽  
R.M Rogoza ◽  
M Packalen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background/Introduction Limited real-world data are available on attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment goals in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Canada. Purpose A retrospective observational study was conducted to describe types of ASCVD events/procedures, time between events and use of lipid lowering treatment (LLT) in patients who did not achieve LDL-C goal. Methods Patients in Ontario ≥65 years with a primary ASCVD event/procedure between 1 Apr 2005 and 31 Mar 2016, treated with an LLT and with index and follow up LDL-C values were identified from claims data at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences data repository. Patients were assessed over a 1-year follow up period for LDL-C goal attainment (&lt;2.0 mmol/L or 50% reduction from index LDL-C) and analysed by LLT and by index event type. Results Overall, 28% of 143,302 patients ≥65 years on LLT failed to attain LDL-C goal at follow up (Figure). The proportion of patients failing to achieve LDL-C goal decreased from 35% to 22% over the 11-year study period. Mean time between index and follow up LDL-C (based on lowest score &gt;2 weeks and up to 1 year after index LDL-C) was 203±97 days. When analysed by low-, moderate- or high-intensity statin, 57%, 30%, and 22% of patients failed to achieve LDL-C goal at follow up, respectively. Conclusions In this study, more than 1 in 4 patients with ASCVD in Ontario failed to achieve guideline recommended LDL-C goal despite treatment. In particular, ∼1 in 3 patients with cerebral and peripheral arterial disease were not at goal. An opportunity exists to better manage these high risk ASCVD patients with further statin intensification and additional LLTs This study made use of de-identified data from the ICES Data Repository, which is managed by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences with support from its funders and partners: Canada's Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR), the Ontario SPOR Support Unit, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Government of Ontario. The opinions, results and conclusions reported are those of the authors. No endorsement by ICES or any of its funders or partners is intended or should be inferred. Parts of this material are based on data and/or information compiled and provided by CIHI. However, the analyses, conclusions, opinions and statements expressed in the material are those of the author(s), and not necessarily those of CIHI Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Amgen Canada Inc.


2013 ◽  
Vol 98 (8) ◽  
pp. 3280-3287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuyo Nakajima ◽  
Masanobu Yamada ◽  
Masako Akuzawa ◽  
Sumiyasu Ishii ◽  
Yasuhiro Masamura ◽  
...  

Context: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) increase with age; however, their relationship remains unclear. Objective: Our objective was to investigate the relationship between SCH and indices of metabolic syndrome and follow up subjects for 1 year. Design: Cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up studies of cases were collected from Takasaki Hidaka Hospital between 2003 and 2007. Participants: Overall, 11 498 participants of health checkups were analyzed. The mean age was 48 ± 9 years. Main Outcome Measures: The relationship between SCH and indices of MetS were examined. Results: Serum free T4 levels were lower in women than men in most of the age groups, and the prevalence of SCH, 6.3% in women vs 3.4% in men, increased with age, reaching 14.6% in 70-year-old women. Multivariate logistic-regression analyses revealed that waist circumference and the serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in subjects with SCH than without among women. Reflecting these findings, the adjusted odds ratio of MetS in patients with SCH was higher than in the euthyroid subjects in women with an odds ratio of 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.1–5.6; P = .017) but not in men. Furthermore, progression from euthyroid into SCH resulted in a significant increase in the serum triglyceride levels but not low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in women. Conclusion: Japanese women exhibited a high prevalence of SCH associated with low free T4 levels. There was a strong association between SCH and several indices of metabolic syndrome in women. SCH may affect serum triglyceride levels and be a risk factor for metabolic syndrome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuichi Kawamoto ◽  
Asuka Kikuchi ◽  
Taichi Akase ◽  
Daisuke Ninomiya ◽  
Teru Kumagi

Abstract Background Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) independently impacts aging-related health outcomes and plays a critical role in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, there are limited predictive data on all-cause mortality, especially for the Japanese community population. In this study, it was examined whether LDL-C is related to survival prognosis based on 7 or 10 years of follow-up. Methods Participants included 1610 men (63 ± 14 years old) and 2074 women (65 ± 12 years old) who participated in the Nomura cohort study conducted in 2002 (first cohort) and 2014 (second cohort) and who continued throughout the follow-up periods (follow-up rates: 94.8 and 98.0%). Adjusted relative risk estimates were obtained for all-cause mortality using a basic resident register. The data were analyzed by a Cox regression with the time variable defined as the length between the age at the time of recruitment and that at the end of the study (the age of death or censoring), and risk factors including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), presence of diabetes, lipid levels, renal function, serum uric acid levels, blood pressure, and history of smoking, drinking, and CVD. Results Of the 3684 participants, 326 (8.8%) were confirmed to be deceased. Of these, 180 were men (11.2% of all men) and 146 were women (7.0% of all women). Lower LDL-C levels, gender (male), older age, BMI under 18.5 kg/m2, and the presence of diabetes were significant predictors for all-cause mortality. Compared with individuals with LDL-C levels of 144 mg/dL or higher, the multivariable-adjusted Hazard ratio (and 95% confidence interval) for all-cause mortality was 2.54 (1.58–4.07) for those with LDL-C levels below 70 mg/dL, 1.71 (1.15–2.54) for those with LDL-C levels between 70 mg/dL and 92 mg/dL, and 1.21 (0.87–1.68) for those with LDL-C levels between 93 mg/dL and 143 mg/dL. This association was particularly significant among participants who were male (P for interaction = 0.039) and had CKD (P for interaction = 0.015). Conclusions There is an inverse relationship between LDL-C levels and the risk of all-cause mortality, and this association is statistically significant.


Author(s):  
Salim S Virani ◽  
Lechauncy D Woodard ◽  
Supicha Sookanan ◽  
Cassie R Landrum ◽  
Tracy H Urech ◽  
...  

Background: Although current cholesterol performance measures define good quality as low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels < 100mg/dl in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients, they provide a snap shot at one time point and do not inform whether an appropriate action was taken to manage elevated LDL-C levels. We assessed frequency and predictors of this appropriate response (AR). Methods: We used administrative data to assess 22,902 CVD patients receiving care in a Veterans Affairs network of 7 hospitals and affiliated clinics. We determined the proportion of CVD patients at LDL-C goal <100 mg/dl, and the proportion of patients with uncontrolled LDL-C levels (>100 mg/dl) who had an AR [defined as the initiation or dosage increase of a lipid lowering medication (LLM), addition of a new LLM, receipt of maximum dosage or >1 LLM, or LDL-C reading <100 mg/dl] at 45 days follow-up. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate facility, provider and patient characteristics associated with AR. Results: LDL-C levels were at goal in 16,350 (71.4%) patients. An additional 2,110 (9.2%) had an AR at 45 days of follow-up. Controlling for clustering between facilities and patient's illness severity, history of diabetes (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.35), hypertension (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.44), patients showing good medication adherence (medication possession ratio > 0.8) [OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.99-2.64] were associated with AR. Older CVD patients (age >75 years) were less likely to receive AR (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.52-0.70). Teaching vs. non-teaching facility (p=0.40), physician vs. non-physician provider (p=0.14), specialist vs. non-specialist primary care provider (p=0.12), and patient's race (p=0.12) were not predictors of AR. Conclusion: Among patients with CVD and LDL-C above guideline recommended levels, only one-third receive AR. Diabetic and hypertensive CVD patients are more likely to receive AR, whereas older Veterans with CVD receive AR less often likely reflecting providers' belief of lack of efficacy from treatment intensification in older CVD patients. Our findings are important for quality improvement and policy making initiatives as they provide more actionable information compared with isolated LDL-C goal attainment as a quality indicator.


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