ABSTRACT
Background and Aims : Background Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treatment goals used for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. Sex differences in CVD have been reported and women are less likely to receive statin therapy for secondary prevention. Nevertheless, little is known about gender according to risk categories Aims To assess the degree of LDL-C control in men vs women by CV risk levels and to report possible associations with clinical characteristics and lipid lowering therapies (LLT) in Portugal Methods: A non-interventional, cross-sectional study of patients regularly consulted for primary/secondary CVD in Portugal (1 hospital, 14 primary care centres). Data spanned a 12-year period (01/2008-12/2020) with index date for patient identification the 31/12/2020. CVD risk assessment was done according to 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines for the management of dyslipidaemias. Result(s): In our cohort of 129 764 patients with an overall median age of 53 years, 56.9% were women. 38.9% of men and 28.9% of women were classified as high/very high risk. History of previous CV hospitalization was present in 7.3% males and 5.0% females (table 1). LDL-C targets were attained more commonly in men for high and very high risk levels, although prescription of any LLT was more frequent in women (table 2). We found similar pattern in the two years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Formula presented] [Formula presented] Conclusion(s): Women fail to achieve their LDL-C goals compared to men, although they are more frequent under LLT and have lower CV risk. The reasons and clinical associations require further research. More intensive therapies should perhaps be considered in women. Copyright © 2022