SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHOLESTEROL MONITORING AMONG PATIENTS WITH HYPERLIPIDEMIA; APPLICATION OF THE ANDERSEN MODEL

Auditorium A

Objective. To investigate socioeconomic factors associated with blood cholesterol monitoring among patients with hyperlipidemia. Background. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) advices adults over age of nineteen with high blood cholesterol to have their blood cholesterol monitored every two years. However, few studies demonstrated socioeconomic barriers for the use of cholesterol preventive services. Methods. This study conducted a cross-sectional analysis using 2009 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey. Study sample consisted of U.S. civilian, non-institutionalized adults who reported having high blood cholesterol. A series of descriptive statistics and weighted logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between socioeconomic factors and cholesterol monitoring. Andersen Model was applied to identify predisposing, enabling and need variables. Results. Approximately 71 million patients reported having high blood cholesterol in 2009. 65 million (94%) reported monitoring blood cholesterol at least once in the past two years. Uninsured were 70% less likely to monitor their blood cholesterol than private insurance (OR: 0.264, 95% CI: 0.181- 0.386). Smokers were 70% more likely to miss their blood cholesterol monitoring than non-smokers (OR: 0.275, 95% CI: 0.376- 0.762). Low-income patients were 60% more likely to miss their blood cholesterol monitoring than higher income (OR: 0.413, 95% CI: 0.27- 0.62). Conclusion. The Study showed that enabling factors including insurance and income are significant in managing hyperlipidemia. This suggests a need for healthcare interventions that minimize the costs of blood cholesterol monitoring. Grants. none