A Review of Lipid Management Guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: Comprehensive analysis was conducted on available guidelines to identify gaps in the available evidence for effective approaches to lipid management. The four guidelines included in the review are NICE, ESC, CCS and AHA/ACC/MS. Method: Multiple databases were explored to locate relevant guidelines published within the past decade, until June 17, 2023. A qualitative comparison was made regarding recommendations on testing frequency, lipid-lowering therapies, and target cholesterol levels. Results: All the guidelines unanimously advocated for statins as the primary therapy for reducing lipid levels. Noteworthy disparities were observed in the recommended cholesterol targets across the various guidelines. Each guideline provided a specific target for the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). For long-term patient monitoring, many of the guidelines (n=2) recommended annual reviews, although some variations were noted, suggesting intervals ranging from 3 weeks to 12 months. Conclusion: All the guidelines have the same scope, despite a few disparities, future research should focus on resolving these differences and on optimizing the preventive measures for lipid management. Keywords: lipid management, guidelines, review