Optimising lipid monitoring interval for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type-2 diabetes: A target trial emulation study

BACKGROUND: Guidelines differ on how often to monitor lipid profiles in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) without established cardiovascular disease (CVD), and randomized evidence is lacking. This study aimed to optimise lipid monitoring intervals for type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients at various LDL-C levels. METHODS: This is a target trial emulation study using territory-wide electronic health records from the Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Adults with T2DM and no prior CVD who had ≥2 lipid panel tests within any 12‑month window during 2009-2012 were enrolled. The index date was the date of the second lipid test. Participants were stratified by baseline LDL‑C (