Background and objectives: Student-run free clinics (SRFC) aim to improve health outcomes of vulnerable populations by providing care to those who have difficulty accessing the traditional health care safety net. Reducing low density lipoprotein (LDL) is known to improve health outcomes, yet uninsured patients remain especially susceptible to poor control. This study describes hyperlipidemia control over time among patients who received care at three University of California San Diego Student-Run Free Clinic Project (SRFCP) sites.
Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of clinic visits from August 2006--November 2010 from three sites of the SRFCP. Patients with a new diagnosis of hyperlipidemia, a baseline LDL level, and at least one follow-up LDL drawn between 6 weeks and 18 months were included in this study (n=96). Hyperlipidemia control was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher's exact tests, paired t tests, and binary logistic regression.
Results: At the last visit, 58.3% (56/96) of patients had achieved LDL goal. LDL decreased from a baseline mean of 135.8 mg/dL to 101.3mg/dL among the cohort (P<.001). Statins were used in 86.5% (83/96) of patients. No significant differences were noted when stratified by language, gender, diabetes comorbidity, homelessness, or clinic site. When comparing Hispanics and Caucasians only, Hispanic patients had better LDL control than Caucasians.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a SRFC can effectively manage hyperlipidemia over time, and rates of control can exceed national standards.