Time Trends in the Use of Cholesterol-Lowering Agents in Older Adults

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
RECOMMENDATIONS for the detection and control of hypercholesterolemia have been available since 1988, when the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines were first issued.1 The guidelines, together with the scientific evidence supporting them, have resulted in increased use of cholesterol-lowering drug therapy,2-4 although screening for hypercholesterolemia reportedly is incomplete3-5 and undertreatment among men and women at high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has been observed.5-8 While there is general agreement that middle-aged individuals with CHD should be treated for hypercholesterolemia, the benefit of treating older adults remains controversial.9-14 The 1993 NCEP guidelines recommend treating elderly patients who are otherwise in good health with cholesterol-lowering therapy.15 In contrast, a recent report from the American College of Physicians discourages screening men and women aged 75 years or older for hypercholesterolemia.16

This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit: