Current status of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol for primary prevention of coronary artery disease in late‐stage elderly persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A retrospective, single‐center study

Abstract Aims/Introduction The importance of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease has recently been reported in the population aged ≥75 years with hypercholesterolemia. Therefore, the current status of LDL‐C management for primary prevention of coronary artery disease in patients aged ≥75 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus was investigated. Materials and Methods A total of 124 patients aged ≥75 years who had type 2 diabetes mellitus, but no coronary artery disease, were investigated. The patients' background characteristics, LDL‐C, glycemic status, ankle‐brachial index and cardio‐ankle vascular index were compared between patients taking and not taking LDL‐C‐lowering agents, such as hydroxymethylglutaryl‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) and ezetimibe. The details of the antihyperlipidemic and antidiabetic agents used in the present study were also examined. Results LDL‐C was significantly lower in patients taking LDL‐C‐lowering agents (LDLCLT[+]) than in patients not taking them (LDLCLT[−]), although LDL‐C was maintained