Table 3 Physicians’ barriers to treat hyperlipidemia among patients with rheumatoid arthritis with their respective priority votes
Level | Sub-level | Rheumatologist Votes (%)a | PCP Votes (%)a |
|---|---|---|---|
Physician Level | Total Votes, % | 87.0 | 25.0 |
Conflict regarding ownership of hyperlipidemia management | 37.7 | 0.0 | |
Lack of training and knowledge of hyperlipidemia guidelines | 32.1 | 18.3 | |
Lack of time | 11.1 | 0.8 | |
Focus only on RA | 6.2 | – | |
Prioritize non-pharmacologic measures (diet and exercise) | – | 4.2 | |
Difficulty implementing lifestyle modifications for patients with pain | – | 1.7 | |
Patient Level | Total Votes, % | 5.6 | 69.2 |
Side effects of statins | 2.5 | 42.5 | |
Patient already on multiple medications | 2.5 | 8.3 | |
Side effects of RA medications and RA drug interactions | 0.6 | – | |
Comorbidities | – | 6.7 | |
Complexity of RA and its treatment | – | 5.8 | |
Patients’ lack of awareness of CVD risk | – | 1.7 | |
Priority of RA symptomology over preventive measures | – | 4.2 | |
System Level | Total Votes, % | 7.4% | 5.8 |
Financial barriers (limited insurance coverage, cost of additional medications, cost of repeating labs) | 6.2% | 0.0 | |
Limited clinic staff support | 1.2% | – | |
Lack of care coordination | – | 5.8 |