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Inadequate medical treatment of patients with coronary artery disease by primary care physicians in Germany

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Summary

Aims

The DETECT study was performed to obtain representative data about the frequency, distribution, and treatment of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in the primary care setting in Germany.

Methods and results

The DETECT study was a cross–sectional clinical– epidemiological survey of a nationally representative sample of 3795 primary care offices and 55 518 patients. Overall, 12.4% of patients were diagnosed with CAD. Stable angina pectoris and myocardial infarction were the most frequent (4.2%) subgroups, followed by status post (s/p) percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI, 3.0%) and s/p coronary bypass surgery (2.2%). Patients with CAD were prescribed AT1 receptor antagonists (in 19.4% of cases), beta blockers (57.2%), ACE inhibitors (49.9%), antiplatelet agents (52.7%), statins (43.0%), and long–term nitrates (24.5%). When comparing all CAD patients with social health care insurance to those who had private insurance, private patients had significantly higher rates of revascularisation procedures and use of preventive medications.

Conclusion

Great potential remains for improving secondary prevention in primary care in Germany to reduce the risk of further coronary or vascular events, especially in patients with social health care insurance.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Practice and Heart Diagnostic Center, Am Isarkanal 36, 81379, Munich, Germany

    B. Bischoff,  Sigmund Silber & B. M. Richartz

  2. Institute of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Dresden, Germany

    L. Pieper, J. Klotsche & H.-U. Wittchen

Authors
  1. B. Bischoff
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  2. Sigmund Silber
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  3. B. M. Richartz
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  4. L. Pieper
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  5. J. Klotsche
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  6. H.-U. Wittchen
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Consortia

for the DETECT study-group

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sigmund Silber.

Additional information

DETECT, Diabetes Cardiovascular Risk-Evaluation: Targets and Essential Data for Commitment of Treatment (See appendix)

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Bischoff, B., Silber, S., Richartz, B.M. et al. Inadequate medical treatment of patients with coronary artery disease by primary care physicians in Germany. Clin Res Cardiol 95, 405–412 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-006-0399-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00392-006-0399-2

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