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Fall 2013
This issue sponsored by the Southeast Lipid Association Featuring: "An Update on Statin Safety with an Emphasis on Differences” and “Managing the Statin-Intolerant Patient: Low-Dose/Low-Frequency Treatment Regimens"
Statin drugs have been studied in numerous controlled trials involving hundreds of thousands of study participants. Their use has resulted in reduced coronary artery disease (CAD) mortality, morbidity and, in several studies, all-cause mortality. Even though clinical trial evidence and clinical... more
A patient recently told me the story of her statin-intolerant sister, who was referred to a cardiologist she had seen for chest pain a few years earlier. When he entered the room, she explained that she could hardly walk or even get out of bed on atorvastatin. The doctor simply stated there was... more
Statins reportedly are the most effective of the lipid-modifying drugs in primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease.1-6 Yet, many patients are deprived of the benefits of statins because of their associated complications. The most common statin-related complication is myopathy,... more
Although statin therapy is a cornerstone of cardiovascular disease prevention, and although it achieves the largest reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDLC), 1 and has one of the safest overall side-effect profiles among lipid-lowering medications, some patients are unable to tolerate statins... more
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommends universal pediatric lipid screening to identify and treat children with serious genetic dyslipidemias.1 Primary care providers should certainly identify children who will be candidates for statin therapy. One in 500 people are... more
Studies specifically designed to evaluate prevalence of statin-related myalgia have shown that approximately 22% of patients on statins have some degree of musculoskeletal pain.1 As clinicians, we know it is difficult for patients to discern between pain related to statin intolerance and that... more
Our patient is a 67-year-old African American female referred to the Duke Lipid Clinic for hypercholesterolemia and elevated creatine kinase (CK). She has a history of coronary heart disease with a prior non ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and stent placement. She has a former 40-packs-... more
For Barbara Wiggins, PharmD, a typical work day involves working up patients, managing medication reconciliation, verifying doses, compliance, and completing rounds as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. Her spare time is divided into providing input on patient management, counseling... more
September is National Cholesterol Education Month. In recognition of this, the Foundation of the NLA has supported an important campaign called “ARE YOU THE ONE?” To help call attention to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), the Foundation has provided two copies of a poster and handout... more