Comprehensive national strategy for lowering mean population cholesterol required

January 01, 0001

Comprehensive national strategy for lowering mean population cholesterol required

The aim of this population survey in rural south-eastern Australia, 2004-2006 by researchers from Australia and Finland was to determine population lipid profiles, awareness of hyperlipidaemia and adherence to Australian lipid management guidelines, using a stratified random sample from the electoral roll. Data from 1274 participants (40%) aged 25-74 years were analysed.

Population-adjusted mean TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were 5.38 mmol/L, 1.50 mmol/L, 3.23 mmol/L and 1.46 mmol/L, respectively. Prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia (TC greater than 5.5 mmol/L or on treatment) was 48%. Lipid-lowering medication use was reported by 12%. Seventy-seven of 183 participants with established cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes were untreated, and of the 106 treated, 59% reached the target LDL-C. Of those without CVD or diabetes already treated, 38% reached target LDL-C, and 397 participants at high absolute risk did not receive primary prevention. Ninety-five per cent of treated individuals with CVD or diabetes and 86% of others treated had cholesterol measured in the previous year. Sixty-nine per cent of individuals at low risk aged over 45 years had their cholesterol measured within the previous 5 years.

The researchers concluded: "A comprehensive national strategy for lowering mean population cholesterol is required, as is better implementation of absolute risk management guidelines — particularly in rural populations." ’

Much of the epidemiological information gathered by research on benefits of interventions can be lost if not applied at the primary care level, yet the evidence for such application is not always externally generalizable.

For the full abstract, click here.

MJA 192(3): 127-132, 1 February 2010 © The Medical Journal of Australia 2010
Dyslipidaemia in rural Australia: prevalence, awareness, and adherence to treatment guidelines in the Greater Green Triangle Risk Factor Study. Edward D Janus, Philip A Tideman, James A Dunbar et al. Correspondence to Philip Tideman: [email protected]

Category: K. Circulatory, HSR Health Services Research. Keywords: dyslipidaemia, rural, Australia, prevalence, adherence, guidelines, population survey, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 5 March 2010

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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