Experiences of People Diagnosed with High Levels of LDL Cholesterol and Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Results from a Multinational Qualitative Study.
Neil Johnson, Joe Vandigo, Fernanda de Carvalho, Celina Gorre, Tanya Hall, Susan E Hennessy, Dhruv S Kazi, Kornelia Kotseva, Patsy Petrie, David Kelly, Ankita Saxena, Elisabeth M Oehrlein
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are a leading risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), a major global cause of illness and death. Patients' qualitative insights about experiences, priorities, and needs are essential for creating more targeted, patient-centered quality improvement interventions.
Objectives: To document the experiences of people with high levels of low-density LDL-C in three countries.
Methods: Qualitative study of 60-min in-depth interviews with 50 adult patients from Australia, Brazil, and the United States. The study was overseen by a Steering Committee comprising patients, patient advocates, researchers, and cardiologists. The interviews explored pathways and barriers to high LDL-C diagnosis; the burden of managing high LDL-C and the awareness of the association between high LDL-C and cardiovascular risks. The data were analyzed by applying a structured, team-based approach to coding qualitative data.
Results: There were three main pathways to diagnosing high cholesterol: routine physical exams conducted by primary care providers; symptomatic presentations or incidental findings during emergency visits and through a healthcare visit for another condition, frequently diabetes. Healthcare providers' communication styles influenced patients' perceptions of their conditions. Two-thirds of participants (n = 33) attempted lifestyle changes after their high cholesterol diagnosis, but work schedules and daily routines posed barriers to maintaining healthy habits. Some participants who experienced ASCVD events waited hours or days before seeking care, assuming their symptoms were not serious. After diagnosis of an ASCVD event, many patients feared death and worried about their families' futures. When asked about potential improvements to their current therapy, 21 patients mentioned reduced administration frequency.
Conclusions: This pilot study provides insights into patients' experiences living with and managing elevated LDL-C. It describes opportunities for policymakers and healthcare providers to improve the detection of elevated LDL-C and support patients in understanding risks and strategies for reducing the risk of ASCVD events.
Global HeartMedicine-Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine
CiteScore
5.70
自引率
5.40%
发文量
77
审稿时长
5 weeks
期刊介绍:
Global Heart offers a forum for dialogue and education on research, developments, trends, solutions and public health programs related to the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) worldwide, with a special focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Manuscripts should address not only the extent or epidemiology of the problem, but also describe interventions to effectively control and prevent CVDs and the underlying factors. The emphasis should be on approaches applicable in settings with limited resources.
Economic evaluations of successful interventions are particularly welcome. We will also consider negative findings if important. While reports of hospital or clinic-based treatments are not excluded, particularly if they have broad implications for cost-effective disease control or prevention, we give priority to papers addressing community-based activities. We encourage submissions on cardiovascular surveillance and health policies, professional education, ethical issues and technological innovations related to prevention.
Global Heart is particularly interested in publishing data from updated national or regional demographic health surveys, World Health Organization or Global Burden of Disease data, large clinical disease databases or registries. Systematic reviews or meta-analyses on globally relevant topics are welcome. We will also consider clinical research that has special relevance to LMICs, e.g. using validated instruments to assess health-related quality-of-life in patients from LMICs, innovative diagnostic-therapeutic applications, real-world effectiveness clinical trials, research methods (innovative methodologic papers, with emphasis on low-cost research methods or novel application of methods in low resource settings), and papers pertaining to cardiovascular health promotion and policy (quantitative evaluation of health programs.