Optimizing statin prescriptions for people living with HIV: Evidence for improved communication and shared care between primary care and specialist HIV services

Abstract

Objectives

Our objective was to assess the numbers of eligible people living with HIV attending one HIV clinic and receiving statins, the factors increasing the likelihood of statin prescription, the knowledge and involvement of primary care in cardiovascular risk prevention in people living with HIV, and the barriers to and drivers of shared care between general practitioners (GPs) and an HIV centre.

Methods

This was a retrospective case note review identifying cardiovascular risk, medications, and communication between the HIV clinic and GPs via an electronic survey of GPs identifying their knowledge about statin indications in people living with HIV.

Results

In total, 62% of GPs were unaware of the indication for statins in people living with HIV aged >40 years. A total of 33% of patients received statins, rising to 61% of patients with independent indications for statins. 92% of all statin prescriptions were provided by the GP. Statins were recommended in 25% of clinic letters but were not prescribed in 72% of these cases. There was discordance between antiretrovirals prescribed by the HIV clinic and those documented on the GP record in 60% of cases and in 40% of non-antiretroviral medications.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that GPs can engage people living with HIV in cardiovascular risk reduction measures but may not consider HIV a cardiovascular risk. Written communication alone is insufficient to improve safe patient care. Shared HIV care needs bidirectional shared medical records. Ongoing work needs to ensure that HIV is recognized as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.