Dyslipidemia Decision Support

Project Details

Hyperlipidaemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and statins are first-line drug therapies for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels when lifestyle measures alone are insufficient. For each 1.0 mmol/l LDL-C reduction statins reduce the risk of major vascular events by 21% and all-cause mortality by 9%. Owing to their clinical effectiveness and excellent safety profile, many Australians are prescribed statins, but there has also been widespread reporting of side-effects, particularly muscle pain, which can have many alternate causes.
An estimated 10 - 20% of adults prescribed a statin in clinical practice are diagnosed as being ‘statin intolerant’, and their statin medication ceased. Our experience, that of other clinicians and research demonstrate that many such people can tolerate a lower dose or an alternate statin.

Our decision support application combines algorithms for the management of dislipidemia and statin intolerance to identify patients who may require a statin prescription or an adjustment to a current subscription based on reported side effects (e.g. myopathy or rhabdomyolysis). Designed and tested in concert with our clinical leads, the application is being piloted at primary care providers serviced by the Launceston Diabetes Clinic.

Collaborators

Prof Alicia Jenkins, University of Sydney, NSW
A/Prof Gary Kilov, Launceston Diabetes Clinic, Tas

Funding

Sanofi Aventis Pty Ltd

Research Publications