Degree of Knowledge and Control in Dyslipemia Among Doctors of Murcia Region, Spain. (2004-2005)

Abstract

Background: Consensus for the treatment and control of lipid abnormalities are not always followed, including the calculation of the global cardiovascular risk. The aim of this work is to analyse the level of information and patterns of action in the detection, assessment and control of dyslipemia among primary care and specialising care physicians from the Region of Murcia. Methods: An observational study of transverse type of 14 items was realised among 217 primary care doctors (PCD) and 133 specialising care doctors (SCD). Results: The big majority (80,9%) of the doctors declared to follow the internacional consensus for the control of the dyslipemia. The cardiovascular risk factor was occasionally calculated by 58% of the doctors, whereas the biochemical parameter most commonly used was LDL-cholesterol (89,7) followed by the total cholesterol (57,7%), HDL-cholesterol (55,7%) and tryglicerides (53,1%). The optimal target of LDLcholesterol in primary prevention was <130 mg/dL (66,6% of doctors) whereas in secundary prevention was <100 mg/dL (81,7% of doctors). In the case where a dyslipemic patient is regularly controlled, 76,6% of the doctors, maintained treatment and 22,3% decreases it. In the case where a dyslipemic patient is not regularly controlled, 62,3% of the doctors would recommend hygienic-dietetic treatment and the 66,9% would recommend pharmacological treatment. The best valued statin among the doctors was atorvastatin. The 69,1% of the doctors usually realise further analytical controls of ALT, AST and CPK to evaluate the statin tolerance. The 60,6% of the doctors declared that their patients follow their treatment. Conclusions: In general terms, the knowledge and treatment of dyslipemia among primary care and specialising care doctors was proven updated and suitable.