Statin Utilization Trend in Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases in a Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective To conduct risk assessment and assess the choice of statins with regard to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Methodology This is a cross-sectional observation study conducted on 500 patients visiting a teaching hospital. Medical records were used to obtain patient characteristics and type, dose, and regimen of prescribed statin. Prescribed statin dose was evaluated using standard prescribing guidelines by American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. Result Out of the 500 patients studied, 70% (350) of patients were prescribed statin therapy for a CVD and 30% had at least 1 CVD risk factor. Proportion of males was higher. Mean age of patients with statin therapy for coexisting CVD was 61.16 ± 12.87. Among those with at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor but without CVD, 66% had risk score more than 7.5 out of 10 suggestive of high risk for CVDs within 10 years. Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin were the preferred choice of statin therapy, with higher preference for atorvastatin. Dosing criteria were well-met for secondary prevention; whereas, underdosing was prevalent among users of fixed-dose combinations and among patients prescribed a statin for primary prevention of CVDs. Conclusion Lack of use of risk scores may lead to underdosing and underutilization of statins.