OBJECTIVETo better understand the similarities and disparities between the newly issued Chinese Guidelines on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Adults (CG) and exist relevant guidelines by comparing the actual effect on assessment of current clinical management of dyslipidemia in China, in order to promote the use of CG in clinical practice.

METHODSStudy participants included 2094 patients from the Second Multi-center Survey of Dyslipidemia Management in China. The goal attainment rate was defined as the proportion of participants who achieved their target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels specified by CG, the Chinese Expert Recommendations on Prevention and Treatment of Dyslipidemia (CR), the updated Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program (ATP III), respectively.

RESULTS(1) The overall goal attainment rates were 62%, 34% and 50% according to CR, ATP III and CG, respectively. (2) With reference to the CG risk stratifications, the risk of nearly 40% of high risk patients and all very high risk patients were underestimated by CR, whereas the risk of more than 40% of patients in any risk groups were overestimated by ATP III. (3) The disparities in risk stratifications accounted for 90% of the difference in overall goal attainment rate (12%) between CR and CG, while the disparities in the risk stratifications and that in LDL-C target levels were responsible for 29% and 71% of the difference (16%) , respectively, between ATP III and CG.

CONCLUSIONSThere were significant differences in goal attainment rates assessed by different clinical practice guidelines. CG is more aggressive in risk stratification than CR but simpler and easier to use than ATP III, and hence more appropriate to Chinese patients and should be widely promoted in China.