Hyperlipidaemia—management and views amongst physicians in general practice,in occupational health care and in internal medicine

Abstract. Objectives. To study aspects of management and views about hyperlipidaemia and its treatment amongst different categories of physicians. Design. A postal questionnaire was sent to selected physicians. Reminders were used. Setting. The study included physicians in primary health care (PHCPs), occupational health care (OHCPs), and in departments of internal medicine in hospitals (IMPHs). Subjects. All 146 PHCPs in the south-western region of Stockholm, 147 OHCPs, randomly selected from the directory of occupational health care offices, and all 157 IMPHs in six hospitals, in the greater Stockholm area, were offered the questionnaire. Main outcome measures. Differences in views, attitudes and treatment policy amongst different categories of physicians. Results. Response rate was 70% (61–81%). Intervention was initiated by the OHCPs at lower levels of cholesterol than by the other two groups, with diet (P < 0.001) and with drug intervention as primary (P < 0.01) and secondary prevention (P < 0.005). When other cardiovascular risk factors were present, intervention was started earlier by the OHCPs only in comparison with the PHCPs (P < 0.01). Knowledge of one's own cholesterol level was more common amongst the OHCPs than in the other two groups (P < 0.001). Patient follow-up was the same in all groups. Conclusions. Disagreement amongst physicians about hyperlipidaemia leads to conflicting information being given to patients. It is important to be aware of these differences when trying to reach a consensus on this topic. Corresponding knowledge and attitudes amongst members of the public should also be studied.