What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Observational. Population: COPD (n=60). Intervention: Offering lipid lowering therapy (LLT). Primary outcome: Prescription of lipid lowering therapy in LLT naive patients.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the feasibility of offering lipid lowering therapy during COPD reviews in primary care settings.

May 8, 2026Open Access

Abstract Number: Esoc2026a2366 Improving the Primary Prevention of Stroke in Patients During Copd Review Clinics in the Primary Care Setting

Key Result

Offering lipid lowering therapy during routine primary care COPD reviews resulted in a 45% prescription rate among previously LLT-naive patients.

Key Points

To evaluate the feasibility of offering lipid lowering therapy during COPD reviews in primary care settings.
Conducted a service evaluation in primary care clinics for patients with COPD.
Identified LLT naive patients during routine nurse-led COPD reviews and discussed CVD risk.
Directed patients wanting LLT to either a pharmacist or GP for prescription.
Out of 60 patients, 38 (63%) were already on lipid lowering therapy.
Of the 22 patients without LLT, 10 were prescribed LLT, highlighting a 45% increase in prescribing in LLT naive cohort.
Routine practice in COPD reviews is likely beneficial for reducing CVD risk.

Study Design

Type

Observational (n=60)

Structured PICO

Does offering lipid lowering therapy during routine primary care COPD reviews increase LLT prescribing in LLT naive patients?

Population

60 patients with COPD attending routine nurse-delivered COPD reviews in a primary care setting.

Intervention

Opportunistic offering of lipid lowering therapy (LLT) and discussion of CVD/stroke risk during routine COPD reviews.

Outcome

Uptake and prescription of lipid lowering therapy among LLT naive patients.

Opportunistic offering of lipid lowering therapy during routine primary care COPD reviews is feasible and effectively increases LLT prescribing for primary prevention of CVD.

Abstract

Abstract Background and aims COPD is associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including stroke.1 The risk of MACE increases dramatically after an acute exacerbation of COPD. COPD has been identified in the UK based QRISK4 primary prevention calculator as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic diseases.2 This presents a unique opportunity to offer lipid lowering therapy (LLT) to patients with COPD. A real-world primary care-based service evaluation was undertaken to consider the feasibility of offering LLT during routine COPD reviews. Methods LLT naive patients with COPD were offered therapy during routine nurse-delivered COPD reviews. Risk of CVD, including stroke, was discussed and individuals wanting LLT were directed either to the primary care pharmacist or GP for prescription, or further discussion and prescription if mutually agreed. Furthermore, patients were also checked for the presence of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Results Of the initial 60 patients reviewed in the programme, 38 (63%) were already taking LLT. The 22 (37%) patients not taking LLT were offered medicines to reduce their lipid burden with a view to lowering CVD risk. 10 of the 22 patients were prescribed LLT, 10 declined LLT and 2 requested further blood testing. The opportunistic approach increased lipid lowering prescribing in the LLT naive cohort by 45%. Conclusions Primary care-based COPD review clinics provide an ideal setting to offer LLT and potentially reduce the risk of stroke. We advise routine proactive CVD risk reduction as standard practice during COPD reviews in the primary care setting. Conflict of interest The speaker has received honoraria from: Abbott | Amarin | Amgen | AstraZeneca | Bayer | Boehringer Ingelheim | Daiichi Sankyo | Edwards | Medtronic | Novartis | Omron