Household income and LDL-C goal attainment in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia in a Canadian dataset

Abstract

Household income and LDL-C goal attainment in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia in a Canadian dataset Abstract Purpose: ere is evidence of a social disparity pertaining to the epidemiology and burden of illness of diabetes.e purpose of this study was to assess the association between household income strata and therapeutic goal achievement rates for LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) (< 2.5 mmol/L) in Canadian diabetic patients.Methods: Data (household income, cardiovascular risk factors, drug pro le, clinical and laboratory variables) were obtained from a previous cross-sectional study of diabetic patients who lled a prescription for a lipid-lowering drug in selected pharmacies across Canada. Telephone interviews were conducted. Physicians, identi ed by the participating patients, were requested to complete a short questionnaire for clinical data. Achievement of LDL-C goals according to the Canadian diabetes guidelines were assessed and incorporated into regression models corresponding to household income strata.Results: Seven household income strata were de ned in the cohort (from less than 20,000 CDN$, up to 70,000 CDN$ by increments of 10,000 CDN$). LDL-C goals were attained in 34% of patients in the total cohort. ere were no signi cant di erences amongst household income strata for LDL-C goal achievement (p = 0.80). ere were no signicant di erences in patient characteristics (age, sex, BMI) and cardiovascular risks according to the household income strata in this cohort, except age more than 65 in the lower income strata.Conclusion: is study demonstrates that household income was not a factor to achieve therapeutic goals for LDL-C for patients with diabetes in this dataset, although goal attainment was less than ideal overall. Future studies should address limitations of this work including small sample size, recruitment bias and lack of data on third party insurance coverage.