2024 The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand (RCPT) clinical practice guidelines on management of dyslipidemia for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention.

BACKGROUND

The Royal College of Physicians of Thailand (RCPT) published a Clinical Practice Guideline on Pharmacologic Therapy of Dyslipidemia for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) Prevention in 2016. The availability of newer classes of medications for dyslipidemia, supported by extensive clinical research findings, indicates a significant need for the updating of the existing clinical practice guideline.

OBJECTIVES

To serve as guidelines on the management of dyslipidemia for Thai adults.

METHODS

The RCPT Dyslipidemia Guidelines Committee was established with representatives from selected professional societies to revise the 2016 Guideline by critically reviewing the latest evidence. Meetings were conducted from August to December 2023, culminating in a public hearing that engaged various stakeholders in January 2024. The final Thai version received approval in April 2024, while the English translation was completed in October 2024.

RESULTS

Lifestyle modifications and statins remain the cornerstone of therapy for dyslipidemia in adults across various clinical settings. Emerging evidence regarding newer classes of lipid-lowering medications indicates that these treatments are effective in lowering LDL-cholesterol levels and reducing atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. This suggests that they may serve as an add-on therapy for individuals who cannot achieve target levels or who are at high risk for future cardiovascular events. The Thai CV Risk Score is recommended due to its specificity for the Thai population.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2024 updated clinical practice guidelines establish a framework, provide recommendations, and serve as a comprehensive resource for the contemporary management of dyslipidemia in adults, with the goal of preventing ASCVD in Thailand.