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.