LDL-cholesterol goal achievement and guideline adherence among middle-to older-age Irish adults in a primary care setting

Background A significant gap exists between recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment goals and the achievement of these goals in clinical practice. In addition, there remains suboptimal utilization of lipid-lowering therapies (LLT). This study examines the prescribing pattern of LLT and the level of LDL-C goal achievement among Irish adults in a primary care setting. In addition, it identifies patient factors associated with the prescribing of LLT and LDL-C goal achievement. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of rescreen data from the Mitchelstown Cohort Study. Demographic, medication and diagnosis data were obtained from participant electronic health records. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the SCORE tool. LDL-C goal achievement was determined using the LDL-C goals set out in the 2011 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia. Results Among 1,183 participants (median age=65 years), 48.5% were prescribed LLT, 42% of whom attained their LDL-C goal. Only 17.5% were prescribed high-intensity statin therapy and 13% were prescribed combination therapy. In multivariable analysis, diabetes history, polypharmacy, and hyper-polypharmacy were associated with prescribing LLT. Being male or ≤59 years of age was associated with lower likelihood of LLT prescription. Target LDL-C goal achievement was associated with male sex and age ≤64 or ≥70 years, while BMI 25 – 29kg/m 2 was associated with lower LDL-C goal achievement. Conclusion Dyslipidemia is undertreated in this Irish primary care population with limited use of high-intensity statins. This study highlights the gap between guideline recommendations for LLT prescription and LDL-C target goals and real-world implementation of guidelines.