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Valutazione di un risultato del trattamento con statine: il caso dell’ASL di Foligno (PG)

An evaluation of statin treatment results

  • Published:
PharmacoEconomics Italian Research Articles

Summary

Introduction

A positive correlation is known between LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) and cardiovascular events, as well as between treatment with statins and the prevention of such events. This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of compliance with statins on LDL-c levels in the current clinical practice.

Materials and methods

Statistical evidence was provided by the administrative database of Foligno’s (Central Italy) Local Health Unit. Data were collected about prescriptions of statins from 2001 to 2006, and about LDL-c levels assessed (data filing of such levels started in 2003). For each statin the compliance was evaluated as the proportion of days covered, calculated via the respective DDD. For which, the adopted value was not the one currently released by WHO but a more realistic one (reference-based DDD).

Results

A total of 14,110 patients treated with statins was selected, mean age 63 years and 51% females. Among these patients, 45% had performed at least one LDL-c test. Overall, in the observation period the compliance with statins increased and the LDL-c levels decreased. On the other hand, the overall average compliance reached only 50% in 2006. Patients were broken down by percent compliance bands: it was shown that the higher was the compliance, the lower the LDL-c levels. Statistical analysis significantly supported the hypothesis of a relationship between compliance and LDL-c level.

Conclusions

The difference between the impact of statins as found in this study, focused on the clinical practice, and the results reported in the literature on the clinical trials, reflects the gap between efficacy and effectiveness.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Wolters Kluwer Health | Adis, Milano, Italia

    C. Lucioni & S. Mazzi

  2. ASL 103, Foligno, PG, Italia

    M. Fagotti, P. Fondi & M. B. Goretti

Authors
  1. C. Lucioni
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  2. S. Mazzi
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  3. M. Fagotti
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  4. P. Fondi
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  5. M. B. Goretti
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Lucioni.

Additional information

I peer reviewers, per questo articolo, sono stati coordinati da Pierluigi Russo.

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Lucioni, C., Mazzi, S., Fagotti, M. et al. Valutazione di un risultato del trattamento con statine: il caso dell’ASL di Foligno (PG). Pharmacoeconomics-Ital-Res-Articles 10, 123–136 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03320649

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