MedPath

Statins at the Primary Care Level

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dyslipidemia
Interventions
Other: Educational Intervention
Registration Number
NCT02380911
Lead Sponsor
Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy
Brief Summary

Hypercholesterolemia, a major cause of disease burden in both the developed and developing world, is estimated to cause 2.6 million deaths annually (4.5% of all deaths) and one third of ischemic heart diseases., and result in 29.7 million DALY lost. In Argentina, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia increased between 2005 and 2013 from 27.9% to 29.8%, whereas the rate of non-optimal LDL-C, was 28.0%. The rate of high cholesterol awareness was 37.3 % and the proportion of those who are under pharmacological treatment was dismally low: only 11.1%. Furthermore, only one out of four subjects with a self-reported diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD) is taking statins. and most individuals with CHD who are on statins have sub-optimal LDL-C levels. Although other antihypertensive, antidiabetic and low-dose aspirin were available free-of-charge at the primary care clinics of the public sector, statins had not been included until recently. As of 2014, statins (simvastatin 20mg) were incorporated into the package of drugs provided free-of-charge for patients with high cholesterol, according to CVD risk stratification. The goal of this study is to test whether a multifaceted educational intervention targeting physicians and pharmacist assistants, improves detection, treatment and control of hypercholesterolemia among uninsured patients with moderate to high cardiovascular risk in Argentina. Specifically, the intervention will test whether a multifaceted educational intervention program lowers LDL-cholesterol levels and CVD risk in moderate to high cardiovascular risk patients, improves physician compliance with clinical practice guidelines, and improves patient care management and adherence to medication. A cost-effectiveness study will be conducted to compare the intervention to the usual standard of care. This randomized cluster trial will enroll 350 patients from 10 public primary care clinics who will be assigned to receive either the intervention or the usual care. This study is timely and will generate urgently needed data on effective and, practical and sustainable intervention programs aimed at the prevention and control of CVD risk that can be directly used in other primary care settings and health care systems in LMICs.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
357
Inclusion Criteria
  • Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease: defined as acute coronary syndrome; history of myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina, coronary revascularization, stroke, or transient ischemic attack presumed to be of atherosclerotic origin and revascularization.
  • Moderate-High CVD risk according to the WHO charts adapted by the National MoH (estimated 10-year CVD risk ≥ 20%)
  • LDL-C level ≥ 190 mg/dL
  • Type 2 diabetes in patients between 40 and 75 years of age
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients that are already receiving statins, pregnant women, bed-bound, and patients who cannot give informed consent.
  • End stage chronics kidney disease receiving dialysis ,HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, alcohol or drugs abuse.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention GroupEducational InterventionThe intervention group will receive a multifaceted educational intervention targeting physicians and pharmacist assistants to improve detection, treatment and control of hypercholesterolemia among uninsured patients with moderate-high cardiovascular risk in Argentina.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Cholesterol Level1 year

Net change in LDL-C levels from baseline to month 12 between intervention and usual care groups among all study participants.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Global Cardiovascular Risk1 year

Net change in 10-year-CVD Framingham risk score before and after the implementation of the program.

Clinical practice guidelines compliance1 year

Proportion of patients with high CVD risk who are on statins, and are receiving an appropriate dose according to the CPG.

Cholesterol reduction1 year

Proportion of patients with moderate-high CVD risk who have reduced 30% and 50% of their LDL-C, respectively.

Treatment compliance1 year

Level of treatment adherence evaluated through questionnaire.

Costs of the intervention1 year

Cost-effectiveness of the intervention program.

Trial Locations

Locations (10)

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud "Etcheparre"

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Trelew, Chubut, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud Dr. Balbastro

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Corrientes, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud "Malvinas Argentinas"

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Rawson, Chubut, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud "Dr. Favaloro"

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Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

Hospital San Luis del Palmar

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San Luis del Palmar, Corrientes, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud "Ruca Calil"

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Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud N°11

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Corrientes, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud N°13

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Corrientes, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria "Jardín Residencial"

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La Rioja, Argentina

Centro de Atención Primaria de la Salud "Faldeo del Velazco"

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La Rioja, Argentina

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