2.2. Study population and variables
The inclusion criteria for participating in the study were patients between 18 and 90 years old with a diagnosis of IHD and/or dyslipidemia on pharmacological treatment for secondary CVD prevention. IHD was established by the presence of at least one imaging study (Echocardiography, computed tomography, coronary angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, SPECT or PET) performed at the institution confirming the presence of coronary atherosclerotic disease and/or history of acute myocardial infarction documented in the institution’s electronic or physical medical records.
Dyslipidemia was determined by at least one laboratory documenting total cholesterol levels > 200 mg/dl or triglyceride levels >150 mg/dl. While pharmacological treatment for secondary CVD prevention was defined by the use of at least one of the following drugs: a) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: captopril, enalapril, ramipril, or lisinopril; b) angiotensin II receptor inhibitors: candesartan, losartan, irbesartan, telmisartan, valsartan, or olmesartan; in addition to at least one HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statins): pravastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin.
Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, had a diagnosis of major depression, psychosis, dementia, or other mental illnesses, or were from other institutions.