| Sub-title | |
| Author | N Azzopardi Muscat |
| Abstract | Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of statins in reducing cholesterol in patients with ischaemic heart disease in Malta. Methods: Literature review on effectiveness of statins in reducing cholesterol; Retrospective measurement of cholesterol reduction with statins; Comparative cost-effectiveness analysis; Comparison of local results with European guidelines and with results from other audits. Results: Total cholesterol <5.0mmol/L was achieved in 16.5% of patients and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <3.0mmol/L in 19.1% of patients. Simvastatin (43.5%) was significantly more effective than fluvastatin (7.2%) in achieving targets for low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.0001). Simvastatin was found to be twice as cost-effective as fluvastatin in terms of treatment to target per patient. The results from this study are poor compared to trials and are also poorer than most results from published audits. Recommendations: The findings from this study lead to recommendations to use higher doses of statins, to use Simvastatin as a first line statin and to consider the introduction of more potent statins in high risk patient groups. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
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| Link to journal | |
| Key words | statins, cholesterol, efficacy |