Conocimiento sobre el tratamiento dietético y farmacológico de la hipercolesterolemia y su relación con el control de objetivos en pacientes que reciben estatinas: Estudio OPINA

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the understanding of patients receiving statins about the dietary and therapeutic measures taken to control their cholesterol and to relate this to the achievement of therapy objectives. Design. Transversal, multi-centre study, conducted between March and November, 2004. Setting. Three-hundred seventy six primary care and specialist doctors from all over the country. Participants. A total of 2347 patients, with an average age of 59 (12) and 48% women, being treated with statins. Method. Survey to evaluate understanding of lipid-lowering diet and pharmacological treatment. The percentage of patients achieving therapy objectives in line with ATP III guidelines was determined. Results. Understanding of diet was adequate only for foods with negative effects on the concentration of cholesterol. Overall, understanding was better in the young, those with a higher level of education, those with hyperlipaemia originating in the family, those under treatment for longer, and in those attended in primary care or internal medicine clinics; it was worse in diabetic patients and in those with cardiovascular disease. Patients with more understanding of their treatment reached their therapy objectives to a greater extent. Conclusion. Patients receiving statins treatment have an adequate understanding of diet, but little information on pharmacological treatment. This understanding is associated with the achievement of therapy objectives.