February/March 2008 (vol. 04/5)

ContentsFeaturesResearch PlusCPD

Research Plus

Coronary risk profile

Patients who discuss their coronary risk profiles with their physicians respond better to treatment for cholesterol disorders. The study followed 3,053 patients – from 230 physicians – undergoing treatment for dyslipidaemia. Half were randomly assigned to receive their coronary risk profile at the beginning of the study and at three, six, nine and 12 months; half received ‘usual care’ (88% remained in the study at 12-months). After adjustment for baseline lipid values, small but significant mean reductions in LDL cholesterol levels and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol were observed in patients receiving the profiles. These patients were also more likely to reach lipid targets. The impact was stronger in those with worse profiles.

Archives of Internal Medicine 2007; 167(21): 2296–2303.  http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=486863

Tags

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2008 (vol. 04/5) pp36