OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the proportion of patients initiating statins achieving NCEP ATP III low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals. METHODS: Adults ≥18 years of age, initiating statins (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, or lovastatin) between January 1, 2009 through September 30, 2009 with no use of the index statin 3 months prior to initiation were identified via retrospective physician survey/chart extraction. LDL-C goal attainment was evaluated based on: 1) LDL-C lab values extracted from patients’ medical charts at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after statin initiation, and 2) physician’s assessment. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with HDL-C >40 mg/dL (male) and >50 mg/dL (female), and non-HDL-C goal within 12 months. Subgroup analyses were conducted among 4 different populations: patients with 1) prior CHD; 2) diabetes without CHD; 3) other CHD risk equivalents excluding diabetes or CHD; and 4) multiple (≥3) concomitant medications. RESULTS: A cohort of 869 patients was identified with mean age of 52 years, mean baseline LDL-C of 162 mg/dL, HDL-C of 40mg/dL, and non-HDL-C of 206 mg/dL. The proportions of patients achieving LDL-C goal based on lab values were 38%, 59%, 66% and 74% at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months, and were similar based on physician assessment. The proportion of patients with HDL-C >40 mg/dL (male) was 68%, >50 mg/dL (female) was 44%, and 68% of patients reached non-HDL-C goal. The proportions of patients achieving LDL-C goal in subgroup populations were 22%, 41%, 52%, 63% in patients with CHD; 17%, 39%, 45%, 55% in patients with diabetes; 20%, 34%, 52%, 60% in patients with other CHD risk equivalents; and 26%, 48%, 60%, 70% in patients with multiple concomitant therapies. CONCLUSIONS: A low percentage of patients achieved LDL-C goal after 1 year; particularly in patients with diabetes and other CHD risk equivalents.