Prevalence of lipid abnormalities and cholesterol target value attainment in patients with coronary heart disease in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Hyperlipidemia is highly prevalent among patients surviving an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and those with stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Evidence-based guidelines advocate specific target LDL-C levels depending on patient risk; however, it is unclear to what extent these targets have been met in ACS and CHD patients in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A multicenter observational study, data were collected from treated patients with stable CHD or those presenting with an ACS at any of the four participating sites in Saudi Arabia. Patients were enrolled from December 2013 to October 2014. Individuals were included if they were over 18 years of age and had a full lipid profile available, recorded either prior to the baseline physician visit (stable CHD patients) or within 24 h of admission to hospital (ACS patients). Results: A total of 737 patients were included in the study, 597 with stable CHD and 140 with ACS. Approximately 78% of the patients were male, and comorbidities and cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent. Few patients in either group had an LDL-C level of <70 mg/dl, which is advocated for very high-risk patients (24.3% and 11.4%, respectively). The median distances to this value were 19.0 mg/dl and 25.0 mg/dl for the CHD and ACS patients, respectively. Only low doses of statins were being utilized for both groups. For the ACS patients, LLT was intensified after hospital admission; however, the mean statin dosage remained low 4 months after the ACS event. Conclusion: Achievement of recommended LDL-C levels was poor for both patients with stable CHD and those admitted to hospital as a result of an ACS. Statin intensity was low, indicating huge scope for improving the treatment of these very high risk patients.