BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. While there is indisputable evidence that statin treatment reduces the burden of CVD, undertreatment remains a concern for primary and secondary prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the use of lipid-lowering drugs (LLD) among 70,292 individuals in the Netherlands as a proxy of adherence to the national guideline for prevention and treatment of CVD. METHODS: LifeLines is a population-based prospective cohort study in the three Northern provinces of the Netherlands. At baseline, all participants completed questionnaires, and underwent a physical examination and lab testing. The national guidelines were used to assess how many participants were eligible for LLD prescription and we analysed how many indeed reported LLD use. RESULTS: For primary prevention, 77% (2515 of 3268) of those eligible for LLD treatment did not report using these drugs, while for secondary prevention this was 31% (403 of 1302). Patients with diabetes mellitus were treated best (67%) for primary prevention. Notably, of the patients with stroke, only 47% (182 of 386) reported LLD treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite clear guidelines and multiple national initiatives to improve CVD risk management, adherence to guidelines for the treatment of CVD in the Netherlands remains a major challenge. This study calls out for improving public awareness of CVD and to improve primary and secondary prevention to prevent unnecessary CVD-related morbidity and mortality.
BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. While there is indisputable evidence that statin treatment reduces the burden of CVD, undertreatment remains a concern for primary and secondary prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the use of lipid-lowering drugs (LLD) among 70,292 individuals in the Netherlands as a proxy of adherence to the national guideline for prevention and treatment of CVD. METHODS: LifeLines is a population-based prospective cohort study in the three Northern provinces of the Netherlands. At baseline, all participants completed questionnaires, and underwent a physical examination and lab testing. The national guidelines were used to assess how many participants were eligible for LLD prescription and we analysed how many indeed reported LLD use. RESULTS: For primary prevention, 77% (2515 of 3268) of those eligible for LLD treatment did not report using these drugs, while for secondary prevention this was 31% (403 of 1302). Patients with diabetes mellitus were treated best (67%) for primary prevention. Notably, of the patients with stroke, only 47% (182 of 386) reported LLD treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite clear guidelines and multiple national initiatives to improve CVD risk management, adherence to guidelines for the treatment of CVD in the Netherlands remains a major challenge. This study calls out for improving public awareness of CVD and to improve primary and secondary prevention to prevent unnecessary CVD-related morbidity and mortality.
Authors: Rosan A van Zoest; Marc van der Valk; Ferdinand W Wit; Ilonca Vaartjes; Katherine W Kooij; Joppe W Hovius; Maria Prins; Peter Reiss Journal: Eur J Prev Cardiol Date: 2017-06-05 Impact factor: 7.804
Authors: Trudy Voortman; Jessica C Kiefte-de Jong; M Arfan Ikram; Bruno H Stricker; Frank J A van Rooij; Lies Lahousse; Henning Tiemeier; Guy G Brusselle; Oscar H Franco; Josje D Schoufour Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2017-08-19 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Joshua A Rash; Norman Buckley; Jason W Busse; Tavis S Campbell; Kim Corace; Lynn Cooper; David Flusk; Alfonso Iorio; Kim L Lavoie; Patricia A Poulin; B Skidmore Journal: Syst Rev Date: 2018-11-13
Authors: N S Nurmohamed; D Collard; J W Balder; J A Kuivenhoven; E S G Stroes; L F Reeskamp Journal: Neth Heart J Date: 2021-04-12 Impact factor: 2.380