Suboptimal control of lipid levels: Results from 29 countries participating in the centralized pan-regional surveys on the undertreatment of hypercholesterolaemia (CEPHEUS)

Aim: five multicentre,cross-sectional centralized pan-regional surveys on the undertreatment of hypercholesterolaemia (cepheus) were conducted in 29 countries across asia,western europe,eastern europe,the middle east,and africa. the surveys assessed the current use and efficacy of lipid-lowering drugs (llds) worldwide and identified possible patient and physician characteristics associated with failure to attain low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ldl-c) goals. the aim of this analysis was to consolidate the global results from these surveys. methods: the surveys involved patients aged ≥18 years who had been prescribed llds for at least 3 months without dose changes for at least 6 weeks. a single visit was scheduled for data collection,including fasting plasma lipid and glucose levels. cardiovascular risk profile and ldl-c goal attainment were assessed according to the 2004 updated us national cholesterol education program adult treatment panel iii guidelines. results: in total,35 121 patients (mean age: 60.4 years) were included,and 90.3% had been prescribed statin monotherapy. overall,only 49.4% of patients reached their recommended ldl-c level. ldl-c goals were attained in 54.8% (5084/9273) and 22.8% (3287/14 429) of patients were at high and very high cardiovascular risk,respectively. factors associated with an increased likelihood of ldl-c goal attainment were lower baseline cardiovascular risk; presence of diabetes mellitus,hypertension,or history of cardiovascular disease; and treatment with simvastatin,atorvastatin,or rosuvastatin (vs. all other llds). conclusion: ldl-c goal attainment in patients taking llds is suboptimal worldwide,particularly in patients at high and very high cardiovascular risk. © 2016,japan atherosclerosis society. all rights reserved.