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Identifying high cholesterol in the ambulance setting: a mixed-methods cohort study to tackle health inequality.

Charlton, Karl, Rees, Jon and Burrow, Emma (2024) Identifying high cholesterol in the ambulance setting: a mixed-methods cohort study to tackle health inequality. Journal of Public Health, 42 (2). ISSN 1741-3842

Item Type: Article

Abstract

Background
Individuals with low socio-economic status (SES) have disproportionate rates of cardio- vascular disease (CVD) but poorer engagement with preventative health. This study aimed to compare characteristics of individuals with and without hyperlipidaemia and describe their health behaviours.
Methods
A mixed-methods study between January-December 2022. Patients aged ≥40 years using the ambulance service with blood pressure of ≥140/90 had their total cholesterol measured using a point of care device. Data including blood pressure, smoking status, National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and clinical frailty scale (CFS) were analysed.
Results
Of 203 patients (59% female, mean age 65.7 years), 115 (56.7%) had total cholesterol ≥5.1mmol/L. Thirty patients (14.8%) sought treatment and received either statins (n=9; 4.4%), dietary modification (n=7; 3.4%) or no further intervention (n=14; 6.9%), whilst 85 patients (41.9%) took no further action. Lower CFS (OR 0.53 [0.31-0.93]) and higher total cholesterol (OR 2.07 [1.03 – 2.76]) predicted seeking further management. SES was not associated with hyperlipidaemia or likelihood of seeking further management which was dictated by competing co-morbidity, poor health literacy and digital divide.
Conclusions
Undiagnosed hyperlipidaemia exists in patients using the ambulance service, irrespective of SES. Individual and healthcare system factors prevent engagement in cholesterol lowering behaviours.

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More Information

Depositing User: Jon Rees

Identifiers

Item ID: 17319
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdae009
ISSN: 1741-3842
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/17319
Official URL: https://academic.oup.com/jpubhealth

Users with ORCIDS

ORCID for Jon Rees: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3295-244X

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 07 Feb 2024 14:45
Last Modified: 08 Oct 2024 13:15

Contributors

Author: Jon Rees ORCID iD
Author: Karl Charlton
Author: Emma Burrow

University Divisions

Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing > School of Psychology

Subjects

Sciences > Health Sciences

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