Use of Aspirin and Statin as primary prevention for cardiovascular diseases

Objective: To ascertain whether recommendations for the use of Statins and Aspirin as primary prevention in diabetic patients are correctly implemented at our institution.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2014 and April 2014 at the General Practice Department of King Abdulaziz University Hospital. Three hundred twelve patients were included in the study. Data were collected from the electronic patient medical records for the characteristics of the patients, existing co-morbidities, and results of laboratory investigations. Descriptive statistics were performed for all variables.

Results: Of 312 patients, aspirin was indicated for 17.0% but it was not prescribed. It was both indicated and prescribed in 36.2% of the cases. Statin treatment was indicated in 27.2% of the patients but it was not prescribed, while in 63.1% of cases it was indicated and prescribed.

Conclusion: The proportion of patients who achieved treatment targets at our institution is greater than that reported by other studies, albeit treatment targets are not being met in a significant number of cases.