General practitioner perceptions of treatment benefits and costs in patients with hyperlipidaemia.

This study explored general practitioner (GP) perceptions of use of treatments to manage hyperlipidaemia and their cost implications. GPs recognized different levels of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk, but were not always aware of which were major factors. Most were unfamiliar with published guidelines on managing hyperlipidaemia, and were likely to initiate drug therapies even in low-risk patients with mild hyperlipidaemia. Clearer advice is needed on whom to treat and on dietary intervention with high-fibre as well as low-fat diets.