# Statin treatment in routine clinical practice: Insights from the STATRIP physician survey

## TL;DR

The STATRIP survey reveals that physicians have misconceptions about statin side effects and treatment practices for dyslipidemia.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into physician perceptions and misconceptions regarding statin use in real-world clinical practice.

## Key findings

- Physicians commonly fear statin-related side effects like muscle pain and liver enzyme increases.
- Only about half of physicians use non-HDL cholesterol measurements in practice.
- Combination therapy with ezetimibe is underutilized for uncontrolled dyslipidemia.

## Abstract

Statins remain to date the primary therapeutic option for dyslipidemia. However, a significant portion of patients with dyslipidemia fail to achieve optimal low-density lipoprotein targets for reasons often related to treating physicians. The aim of STAtin Treatment in Routine clinical Practice (STATRIP) survey was to report and quantify perceptions and common beliefs regarding treatment with statins, among physicians implicated in the primary and secondary care of patients with dyslipidemia.

This observational cross-sectional study was conducted using an online-distributed questionnaire, which was designed to cover a wide range of physicians’ knowledge and perceptions on treatment with statins. A total of 261 health care providers filled out the survey, mostly general practitioners and internists (93.5 %). Study participants clearly expressed their concerns regarding statin-related side effects, including fears on interactions with other medication, muscle aches and pain, increase in liver enzymes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Myalgias were observed by physicians in as many as 29.2 % of patients receiving rosuvastatin, and in as many as 26.5 % receiving atorvastatin. Combination lipid-lowering therapy with ezetimibe was reported by only 53.6 % of participants as a prevalent strategy for uncontrolled individuals. Only 58.6 % apply non-HDL cholesterol measurements in their clinical practice.

Our study provides a clear perspective of treating physicians regarding statin prescription patterns. Several misconceptions, especially regarding statin-related adverse effects, hold well among treating physicians. Insufficient implementation of dyslipidemia guidelines calls for more targeted educational interventions to achieve optimal management of patients with dyslipidemia.

•The STATRIP survey presents physicians' perspectives on treatment with statins.•Misconceptions remain common, especially regarding statin-related adverse effects.•Medical interactions, muscle aches and increase in liver enzymes are common fears.•Educational interventions are required for optimal dyslipidemia treatment.

The STATRIP survey presents physicians' perspectives on treatment with statins.

Misconceptions remain common, especially regarding statin-related adverse effects.

Medical interactions, muscle aches and increase in liver enzymes are common fears.

Educational interventions are required for optimal dyslipidemia treatment.