Recent trends of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol control and lipid-lowering therapy in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Taiwan: 2015-2020.
Journal
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association
Journal Volume
124
Journal Issue
5
Start Page
419 - 425
ISSN
0929-6646
Date Issued
2024-10-24
Author(s)
Chen, Tzu-Yang
Hsiao, Yu-Chung
Lin, Tsung-Hsien
Sheu, Wayne Huey-Herng
Lee, Thung-Lip
Hsieh, I-Chang
Li, Yi-Heng
Yin, Wei-Hsian
Yeh, Hung-I
Chen, Jaw-Wen
Lin, Fang-Ju
Abstract
Objective: This study aimd to assess recent trends in the control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the utilization of lipid-lowering drugs (LLD) among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Taiwan.
Methods: Patients with ASCVD and without a history of hemorrhagic stroke were identified from the Taiwanese Secondary Prevention for patients with AtheRosCLErotic disease (T-SPARCLE) Registry. ASCVD patients were stratified into four categories: those who ever had acute coronary syndrome (ACS), those who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass grafting (PCI/CABG) without ACS, those who ever had an ischemic stroke (IS) without ACS or PCI/CABG, and other ASCVD cases. We assessed their latest recorded LDL-C levels for the periods 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2019-20. LLD therapy patterns were presented as monotherapy, dual therapy, or combination therapy of three or more drugs, with statin use classified by intensity.
Results: We identified 3831 ASCVD patients in 2015-16, 3531 in 2017-18, and 1231 in 2019-20. LLD utilization rose from 58.4% in 2015-16 to 73.2% in 2019-20. The proportions of patients achieving LDL-C goals in 2015-16, 2017-18, and 2019-20 were 21.5%, 25.8%, and 33.3% in the ACS cohort (goal <70 mg/dL); 20.4%, 26.1%, and 39.0% in the PCI/CABG cohort (goal <70 mg/dL); 54.4%, 58.5%, and 58.9% in the IS cohort (goal <100 mg/dL); and 60.0%, 65.5%, and 67.0% in the other ASCVD cohort (goal <100 mg/dL), respectively. Over half of the patients were prescribed moderate-intensity statins. Statin use, age, history of diabetes mellitus, and hypertension were important factors for attaining LDL-C goal in ACS patients.
Conclusion: Despite improvements in LDL-C management observed over recent years, significant gaps remain in guideline adherence, especially for patients with ACS or PCI/CABG in Taiwan, with over 60% not meeting LDL-C targets. Intensifying efforts to align clinical practice with guidelines are imperative.
SDGs
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article