Statin Therapy 2023 | September 2023 | Clinical Corner


September 15, 2023


 

Making Standard of Care, The STANDARD

Statin Therapy for Patients with Diabetes

Statin Therapy for Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

 

Adults 40–75 years of age with diabetes, who do or do not have clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), should be started on a statin for primary and secondary prevention of ASCVD regardless of lipid status. Statin Therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease, male patients ages 21-75, and female patients ages 40-75 identified as having clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease should be on a high or moderate intensity statin medication.

  1. For diabetics without ASCVD, use MODERATE INTENSITY statin for primary prevention1.
  2. For diabetics “with” ASCVD, use HIGH INTENSITY statin for secondary prevention2.
  3. Low Intensity statins are not recommended unless unable to tolerate moderate or high intensity.

 

Exclusions to code:

  • End Stage Renal Disease or Dialysis in previous or current measurement year
  • Patient receiving Hospice or Palliative Care Services
  • Cirrhosis/Liver Disease in previous or current measurement year
  • Diabetes Metric: PCOS, Pre-Diabetes Diagnosis
  • Female patients who are pregnant, receiving IVF or prescription for clomiphene (estrogen agents) during previous or current measurement year
  • Cannot tolerate statin medication, as diagnosed by a claim for myalgia, myositis, myopathy, or rhabdomyolysis during the measurement year.

Exclusions of patients for Statin Therapy must be documented and coded every calendar year.

 

References:

  1. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013:CD004816
  2. Diabetes Care 2006 Jun; 29(6): 1220-1226.