OBJECTIVES: Hypercholesterolemia is a major Cardiovascular risk factor. Its prevalence in Algeria is estimated at 14.51% and according to the latest WHO report (2018), Coronary Heart Disease Deaths reached 26.02% of total deaths in this country, entailing significant costs for the healthcare system (HCS). The objective of this work was to assess the clinical and economic consequences of cardiovascular events in patients with hypercholesterolemia and define the unmet needs in current medical practice in Algeria.

METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective survey based on patient records from April to October 2021. Patients aged ≥ 19 years old with mixed hypercholesterolemia or dyslipidemia, and history of treated or progressive atheromatous cardiovascular with at least 3 years follow up were included.

RESULTS: A total of 506 patients were enrolled in this analysis (64% men). Most of them were aged between 51 and 70 years old. Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors were frequent, consisting mainly in physical inactivity (86%). LDL, HDL and triglyceride were collected as well as echocardiography and coronary angiography. Results showed 48% of patients with acute coronary syndrome and 27% with signs of atherosclerosis. Hypercholesterolemia consisted mostly of mixed dyslipidemia (64%). Therapeutic strategy was essentially based on secondary prevention (70%). Statins represented the most prescribed drug (97%) as monotherapy with atorvastatin in 73% of patients. Most patients (75%) were above the recommended therapeutic targets for LDL-cholesterol according to latest European guidelines. Direct medical costs could be represented by coronary angioplasty with or without stenting, 80% and 50% of patients, respectively. Hospitalization stays consisted in 894 days at cardiovascular settings and 94 days at intensive care unit.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirmed that hypercholesterolemia represents a real burden for Algerian HCS. Although further investigations are needed, this survey highlights the need to improve patient path to avoid the burden of hospitalizations.