The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering effect of pravastatin and factors associated with achieving targeted low-density lipoprotein levels in an African-American population.

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To describe the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)-lowering effect of pravastatin in African-American patients and to identify factors associated with achieving National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-defined target levels. Retrospectively defined cohort study. Large, government-owned, teaching hospital. Eighty-four African-American patients starting therapy with pravastatin in October-November 1997. None. Whether or not target LDL concentrations were achieved was used to measure efficacy. Stepwise logistic regression identified the target LDL, baseline LDL, and baseline high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) as significant predictors of achieving the target. The proportion of patients achieving their target LDL when that target was below 160, below 130, and 100 mg/dl or below was 64%, 32%, and 13% (p=0.004), respectively. Medical record review identified the reasons for not achieving target as incorrect drug regimen, inadequate lipid monitoring, and noncompliance. These results indicate that substantial numbers of patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy are not meeting NCEP-defined targets and that with increased drug monitoring and compliance, improvements in achieving NCEP target LDL levels could be realized.