OBJECTIVE
To determine the proportion of patients with lower extremity peripheral arterial disease
(PAD) who reach recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (<100
mg/dL) and to identify the patient characteristics that are independently associated
with attaining the LDL-C goal (<100 mg/dL).
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Eligible patients were identified from a roster of patients who had undergone testing
at a nonvascular laboratory between September 1, 2001, and January 31, 2002, and were
found to have evidence of PAD, defined as an anklebrachial index of 0.9 or less. We
thoroughly reviewed patients’ electronic medical records. Backward elimination multivariate
logistic regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with reaching
the goal LDL-C level.
RESULTS
Among 143 patients with PAD, 105 (73%) met the goal LDL-C level. Lipid-lowering therapy
was prescribed for 109 (76%). Lower diastolic blood pressure and lower weight were
independently associated with an LDL-C level of less than 100 mg/dL.
CONCLUSIONS
We found higher rates of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with PAD than reported
previously. Patients with diabetes mellitus or coronary artery disease were not more
likely to meet the goal LDL-C level than those without these comorbidities. Clinical
practice may be catching up to clinical guidelines.
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© 2005 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
