Goldberg - Figure 14 - Research needs - 3 Text

This Figure highlights further research needs:

• management of FH in pregnancy – this is particularly difficult since most of the medications available are contraindicated in pregnancy and so, since cholesterol levels rise to a very great extent in the second and third trimesters, this is of concern in women of childbearing age;
• the mechanism and management of statin intolerance – this is still an area where research is needed since the whole issue of statin-related myopathy is a very important one in trying to keep patients adherent to medication;
• the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements and dietary adjuncts for LDL cholesterol reduction – another area of interest, since multiple methods are needed to lower LDL cholesterol and some dietary supplements may be of benefit, in particular the plant sterols and stanols.

A final important need is for new and better methods to enhance healthcare provider adherence to guidelines. It is always difficult to disseminate guidelines, and it is important to make it easier for providers to adhere to guidelines and to utilize them, given the many demands on practitioners.

Goldberg A. J Clin Lipidol. 2011; 5(6).