Appropriate Use of Primary Statin Preventive Therapy Among Patients with High Atherosclerosis-Related Cardiovascular Disease Risks: Cross-Sectional Study, Northeast Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart diseases, ischemic stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases) account for the majority of deaths in diabetic and other high-risk patients. Statin therapy reduces major vascular events, coronary death or nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and ischemic stroke. However, a gap exists between guideline recommendations and the clinical practice of primary statin preventive therapy. This was a cross-sectional study that aimed to determine the prevalence and some associated risk factors of. PURPOSE: This study was intended to assess the magnitude of primary statin preventive therapy and associated factors among patients with high atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease risks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted by a consecutive sampling technique from February 1, 2023, to May 30, 2023. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire, document review, and laboratory measurements were implemented to collect data. Data entered into Epi Data were analysed by STATA version 14 and summarized by using frequency tables and graphs. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed and checked for association at a p value of <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 389 patients were included in this study. Diabetes mellitus (43.75%), hypertension (47.3%), and chronic kidney disease (9.25%) were commonly identified diseases. One hundred sixty-seven (42.93%, CI: 38.07–47.92) patients with high atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risks were on primary statin preventive therapy. Duration of diabetes mellitus (AOR=1.33, CI: 1.1569–1.528), treating physician (AOR=3.875, CI: 1.368–10.969), follow-up regularity (AOR=3.113, CI: 1.029–9.417) and ten-year atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease risk score (AOR=1.126, CI: 1.021–1.243) were found to be significantly associated with the use of primary statin preventive therapy. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The magnitude of patients who were on primary statin preventive therapy was relatively low (42.93%). Improving the regular follow-up and making senior physicians (internists) attend patients at medical follow-up clinics would likely improve the number of patients who are on primary statin preventive therapy.