OBJECTIVES: To describe patient characteristics, and burden of disease among patients with dyslipidemia with/without diabetes mellitus and with/without ASCVD in China

METHODS: The study used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in China in 2017 under the Dyslipidemia Disease Specific Programme (DSP). In this DSP, each surveyed physician provided information regarding full treatment history, lab values, and patient characteristics on at least 8 patients currently being actively treated for dyslipidemia with or without diabetes mellitus with any lipid lowering therapy with up to 2 additional patients with ASCVD diagnosis at the time of survey

RESULTS: This study included 195 physicians (40 endocrinologists and 155 internists and cardiologists) providing data on 852 patients with diabetes and 1018 patients without diabetes. Among patients with diabetes, 279 had ASCVD and 573 did not (non-ASCVD), those with ASCVD were older (67.3 vs 62.1 years), needed more caregiver support (34% vs 14%), had higher average LDL-C at diagnosis (172.4mg/dl vs 167.4mg/dl) compared to those without ASCVD. Among diabetic patients, 42% patients with ASCVD were satisfied with their cholesterol control compared to 49% non-ASCVD, among those dissatisfied (30% of ASCVD and 26% of non-ASCVD) believed better control can be achieved. Among patients with diabetes, low adherence to lipid lowering therapy was observed among those with ASCVD (50%), and non-ASCVD (47%). Among non-diabetic patient, 323 had ASCVD and 695 did not, those with ASCVD were older (66.1 vs 59.5 years), needed more caregiver support (29% vs 9%), had higher average LDL-C at diagnosis (171.7 mg/dl vs 167.0 mg/dl) compared to non-ASCVD patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Among dyslipidemia patients with or without diabetes mellitus, those with ASCVD were more severe compared to non-ASCVD patients. Overall, majority of patients were dissatisfied with the control of their cholesterol levels.