Title:The Gulf Achievement of Cholesterol Targets in Out-Patients Study
(GULF ACTION): Design, Rationale, and Preliminary Results
Volume: 21
Issue: 4
Author(s): Hanan B Albackr, Khalid Al Waili, Wael Almahmeed, Mohammad Al Jarallah, Mohammad I Amin, Khalid Alrasadi, Mohammed A. Batais, Turky H. Almigbal, Ali Youssef, Mohammad Alghamdi, Mohammad Al Shehri, Islam Ahmad, Riham A. ElToukhy, Naji Kholaif, Abdulhalim J. Kinsara, Manal Al-Kindi, Nooshin Barzargani, Magdy Hassan, Shamsa Al Suwaidi, Rajesh Rajan, Hani Altaradi and Khalid F Alhabib*
Affiliation:
- Department of Cardiac Sciences, King Fahad Cardiac Center, College of Medicine, King Saud University Medical
City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Keywords:
Dyslipidemia, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, out-patients, statins, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic, cardiovascular diseases. secondary prevention.
Abstract:
Aim: To assess the current dyslipidemia management in the Arabian Gulf region by describing
the demographics, study design, and preliminary results of out-patients who achieved low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals at the time of the survey.
Background: The Arabian Gulf population is at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at
younger ages. There is no up-to-date study regarding dyslipidemia management in this region, especially
given the recent guideline-recommended LDL-C targets.
Objective: Up-to-date comprehensive assessment of the current dyslipidemia management in the Arabian
Gulf region, particularly in view of the recent evidence of the additive beneficial effects of ezetimibe
and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin-9 (PCSK-9) inhibitors on LDL-C levels and cardiovascular
outcomes.
Methods: The Gulf Achievement of Cholesterol Targets in Out-Patients (GULF ACTION) is an ongoing
national observational longitudinal registry of 3000 patients. In this study, adults ≥18 years on lipidlowering
drugs for over three months from out-patients of five Gulf countries were enrolled between
January 2020 and May 2022 with planned six-month and one-year follow-ups.
Results: Of the 1015 patients enrolled, 71% were male, aged 57.9±12 years. In addition, 68% had atherosclerotic
cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), 25% of these patients achieved the LDL-C target, and
26% of the cohort were treated using combined lipid-lowering drugs, including statins.
Conclusion: The preliminary results of this cohort revealed that only one-fourth of ASCVD patients
achieved LDL-C targets. Therefore, GULF ACTION shall improve our understanding of current
dyslipidemia management and “guideline gaps” in the Arabian Gulf region.
