Age and Gender Trends in Prescribing and Utilization of Lipid-Lowering Drugs at a Public Hospital in Alkharj City

Abstract

Aim: Lipid-lowering drugs are used to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and as a result, they are used in both secondary and primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to observe the prescribing trend of lipid-lowering drugs and to describe the gender and age-related differences in the outpatient setting of a public hospital in Alkharj city. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study that was conducted in outpatient setting of a public hospital in Alkharj city and included the review of electronic outpatient prescriptions. The data was collected and analyzed using Excel software; the descriptive data were represented by percentages and numbers.  Results: The most prescribed lipid-lowering drug in the present study was atorvastatin (62.36%) followed by simvastatin (29.34%). The study found that there are several differences in lipid lowering medications use patterns among different gender and age groups. Therefore, frequent reviews of lipid-lowering drugs use and prescribing pattern are important to optimize patients’ treatment. Conclusion: It is important in the future to make stratified guidelines based on patient characteristics such as age and gender.