Variations in lipid screening frequency in family medicine patients with cardiovascular risk factors

Rationale, aims and objectives This study was undertaken to assess the frequency of lipid screening in comparison with the United States Preventive Services Task Force guideline in a sample of family medicine patients. In addition, we sought to determine the association between testing frequency and achievement of lipid targets. Methods A random sample was extracted from 271 patients from among all patients cared for in our Department of Family Medicine for whom lipid screening was ordered from March to September 2012 and who had ≥2 well‐defined cardiovascular risk factors. Lipid testing frequency was classified in three ways: semi‐annual or less often (0–12 tests over 6 years), annual or less often (0–6 tests), or biennial (0–3 tests). Results Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that the predictors of lipid screening more often than semi‐annually were age ≥60 years [odds ratio (OR) = 3.7] and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR = 30.6). Predictors of screening more often than annually were DM (OR = 4.3), hypertension (OR = 2.1), family history of premature coronary artery disease (OR = 5.6) and statin treatment (OR = 3.5). Lipid goal attainment was not associated with testing frequency except with regard to low‐density lipoprotein levels (P = 0.043, P