Primary Care Pharmacy June 2000 Vol 1 No 3 p88

Journal Club

Lipid lowering

Ulrich S, Hingorani AD, Martin J, Vallance P. What is the optimal age for starting lipid lowering treatment? A mathematical model. BMJ 2000;320:1134-40.

The authors suggest mathematical models for assessing coronary risk and attempt to identify optimal age for commencing treatment, which will meet clinical need while containing cost.

Tierney S, Fennessy F, Bouchier Hayes D. Secondary prevention of peripheral vascular disease. BMJ 2000;320:1262-5.

A useful review article looking at the assessment and modification of coronary artery disease risk factors in patients with peripheral vascular disease.

What's in the medical press? - The rapidly changing situation in primary care means that it is often difficult to keep up to date with what is happening politically and clinically. This section of Primary Care Pharmacy will try to pick out a few articles that may be useful in day-to-day practice or have importance for the primary care role.