Y. Follow Up, Repeat Lipid Evaluation At Least Annually

objective

Ensure that patients initially treated for dyslipidemia receive periodic reassessment of the efficacy of treatment.

background

When dyslipidemia is identified and the care provider and patient undertake dietary and/or pharmacologic treatment, it is pertinent clinically and economically to periodically repeat measurement of serum lipids to ensure that desirable response to therapy continues.  TC and LDL-C tend to increase with advancing age, even in intensively treated patients.  Thus, an initially favorable response to treatment may not be maintained over time.

recommendations

1. Lipid evaluations should be repeated at least annually.  [I]

discussion

Secondary Prevention

Patients known to be at high-risk for CVD based on multiple risk factors other than hyperlipidemia are candidates for early and aggressive dietary and pharmacologic therapy; thus annual reevaluation of serum lipid status is prudent and cost-effective.

Primary Prevention

New medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, nephrotic syndrome, and diabetes, can appear at any time.  The dyslipidemias associated with these conditions may exacerbate pre-existing primary hyperlipidemia and thwart previously effective dietary and/or pharmacologic therapy.  Marked change in serum lipids may prompt timely diagnosis and treatment of such concurrent health conditions.