Lifestyle factors as predictors of nonadherence to statin therapy among patients with and without cardiovascular comorbidities

National treatment guidelines poorly achieved among older subjects with type 2 diabetes - call to action!

OBJECTIVE

To assess risk factors and factors associated with nonachievement of the treatment target levels among 75-year-old Finns with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Outpatient.

SUBJECTS

Seventy-five-year-old participants of the Turku Senior Health Clinic Study (N = 1296) with T2D (n = 247).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Nonachievement of fasting blood glucose (FBG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and blood pressure (BP) levels set by the national treatment guidelines.

RESULTS

Nonachievement rates of FBG, BP and LDL-C were 47%, 85%, and 47%, respectively. Non-usage of T2D medication was negatively (adjusted OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.88) and central obesity positively (1.88, 1.09-3.24) related to nonachievement of FBG target level; alcohol use was positively (3.71, 1.04-13.16) and decreased self-rated health negatively (0.34, 0.12-0.97) related to the nonachievement of BP target level. Nonachievement of LDL-C target level was positively related to poor financial status (3.50, 1.19-10.28) and non-use of lipid-lowering medication (7.70, 4.07-14.56).

CONCLUSIONS

Nonachievement rates of the national treatment goals were high among older T2D patients, and nonachievement was related to use of medication, obesity, alcohol use, poor health, and poor financial status. We emphasize the importance of customized target setting by risk factor levels and active treatment.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Statin Discontinuation in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

Objective

To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with statin discontinuation in Korea, using a nationwide database.

Methods

We analyzed 1,308,390 patients treated with statin for the first time in their life between 2016 and 2017 using the Korean National Health Information Database. The patients participated in the Korean National Health Screening Program within two years before taking statin. Patients with statin discontinuation were defined as those who were not prescribed statin between 365 days and 730 days after the initial statin prescription.

Results

The overall prevalence of statin discontinuation was 39.44%. Patients with statin discontinuation were younger, had lower body mass index (BMI), included a higher number of smokers and drinkers, did not exercise regularly, with fewer cases of hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without statin discontinuation (p<0.001). Compared with patients aged 20-29 years, the risk of statin discontinuation showed a U-shaped relationship with age (odds ratios [ORs]: 0.619 in 30-39 years; 0.454 in 40-49 years; 0.345 in 50-59 years; 0.307 in 60-69 years; 0.324 in 70-79 years; and 0.415 in ≥80 years). In addition, increased BMI was associated with decreased risk of statin discontinuation (ORs: 0.969 with 25.0-29.9 kg/m2, and 0.890 with ≥30.0 kg/m2). Patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were at a lower risk of statin discontinuation (OR: 0.414 for hypertension; 0.416 for diabetes mellitus).

Conclusion

The prevalence of patients with statin discontinuation in Korea was 39.44% at 1 to 2 years after initial statin treatment.

Adherence to Statin Therapy and Attainment of LDL Cholesterol Targets in an Outpatient Population of Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Analysis in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente (DIALECT)

Objective: To assess adherence to statin therapy and its association with sociodemographic data, medical characteristics, LDLc levels, and LDLc target attainment in real-world T2D patients treated in secondary care.

Research Design and Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were performed on baseline data of 393 patients in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente (DIALECT). The medication possession ratio (MPR), calculated with pharmacy dispensing data, was used to determine adherence to statins for an intended period of 24 months. Statins were included in the analyses if they were used for at least six consecutive months with at least three dispenses. Adherence was defined as an MPR ≥80%. Associations with adherence were assessed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.

Results: Overall, 80% of the patients had a statin prescription and of those, 89% were adherent. The proportion of patients who reached LDLc targets of ≤2.5 mmol/L and &lt;1.8 mmol/L differed significantly between the adherent, nonadherent and non-statin group (90% vs. 74% vs. 46%; p &lt; 0.01 and 56% vs. 26% vs. 6%; p &lt; 0.01, respectively). Serum LDLc levels were lower in the adherent versus the nonadherent and non-statin group (1.76 ± 0.60 vs. 2.23 ± 0.90 vs. 2.71 ± 0.67 mmol/L; p &lt; 0.01). Higher HbA1c levels were independently associated with nonadherence (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.08; p &lt; 0.01). Mediation adherence (OR: 2.88, 95% CI 1.04–7.97; p = 0.041) and lower BMI (OR: 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96; p &lt; 0.01) were independently associated with attaining the LDLc target of ≤2.5 mmol/L.

Conclusion: In patients with T2D treated in secondary care, statin adherence was relatively high and was associated with significantly lower LDLc levels. It is important to identify nonadherence as it appeared an important determinant of failure to reach LDLc targets. The finding that many patients who failed to attain LDLc targets did not receive statin treatment offers an opportunity to improve diabetes care.

Prevalence and predictors of medication non-adherence among people living with multimorbidity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aimed to describe medication non-adherence among people living with multimorbidity according to the current literature, and synthesise predictors of non-adherence in this population.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses. PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched for relevant articles published in English language between January 2009 and April 2019. Quantitative studies reporting medication non-adherence and/or predictors of non-adherence among people with two or more chronic conditions were included in the review. A meta-analysis was conducted with a subgroup of studies that used an inclusive definition of multimorbidity to recruit participants, rather than seeking people with specific conditions. Remaining studies reporting prevalence and predictors of non-adherence were narratively synthesised.

RESULTS

The database search produced 10 998 records and a further 75 were identified through other sources. Following full-text screening, 178 studies were included in the review. The range of reported non-adherence differed by measurement method, at 76.5% for self-report, 69.4% for pharmacy data, and 44.1% for electronic monitoring. A meta-analysis was conducted with eight studies (n=8949) that used an inclusive definition of multimorbidity to recruit participants. The pooled prevalence of non-adherence was 42.6% (95% CI: 34.0 - 51.3%, k=8, I²=97%, p<0.01). The overall range of non-adherence was 7.0%-83.5%. Frequently reported correlates of non-adherence included previous non-adherence and treatment-related beliefs.

CONCLUSIONS

The review identified a heterogeneous literature in terms of conditions studied, and definitions and measures of non-adherence used. Results suggest that future attempts to improve adherence among people with multimorbidity should determine for which conditions individuals require most support. The variable levels of medication non-adherence highlight the need for more attention to be paid by healthcare providers to the impact of multimorbidity on chronic disease self-management.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019133849.

Identifying Clusters of Adherence to Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Behaviors and Persistence with Medication in New Lipid-Lowering Drug Users. Impact on Healthcare Utilization

We sought to identify specific profiles of new lipid-lowering drug users based on adherence to a healthy lifestyle and persistence with medication, and to characterize co-morbidities, co-treatments, and healthcare utilization for each of the profiles identified. Observational study in 517 participants in the Aragon Workers' Health Study (AWHS) without previous cardiovascular disease (CVD) and who initiated lipid-lowering therapy. Data were collected from workplace medical examinations and administrative health databases (2010-2018). Using cluster analysis, we identified distinct patient profiles based on persistence with therapy and lifestyle. We then compared characteristics, morbidity, and healthcare utilization across clusters. Participants were aggregated into four clusters based on persistence with therapy, smoking status, adherence to Mediterranean diet, and physical activity. In cluster 1 (n = 113), comprising those with a healthiest lifestyle (14.2% smokers, 84.0% with medium-high adherence to Mediterranean diet, high physical activity), 16.8% were persistent. In cluster 3 (n = 108), comprising patients with the least healthy lifestyle (100% smokers, poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet, low level of physical activity), all were non-persistent. Clusters 2 (n = 150) and 4 (n = 146) both comprised patients with intermediate lifestyle behaviors, but differed in terms of persistence (100 and 0%, respectively). Compared with other clusters, the burden of morbidity, cardiovascular score, and healthcare utilization were lower in cluster 1. The healthy adherer effect was only observed in new lipid-lowering drug users of certain profiles. Furthermore, we found that differences in adherence to lifestyle and medication recommendations for CVD prevention influenced morbidity burden and healthcare utilization.

Determinants of Non-Adherence to the Medications for Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review

PURPOSE

Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular risk factor, and its control leads to less cardiovascular events. Many patients will need some medications to achieve ideal targets. Non-adherence to medications is a complex problem with high impact on their effectiveness. This study aims to identify the determinants of non-adherence to medications in patients with dyslipidemia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a systematic review. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for original articles, published between 2000 and 2020, using the MeSH terms "Dyslipidemias" and "Medication Adherence".

RESULTS

From the initial 3502 identified articles, we selected 46 to include in the final qualitative synthesis. The determinants associated with non-adherence were lower age (≤50 years), female sex, African American ethnicity, smoking habits, being a new user of lipid-lowering medications, reporting or having concerns about lipid-lowering medication side effects and some comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Alzheimer's disease/dementia, depression and diabetes). On the contrary, adherence is higher in older patients, alcohol drinking habits, taking β-blockers, having a higher number of comorbidities, having a history of cardiovascular events, cardiac interventions or revascularization procedures, having health insurance and having more provider follow-up visits.

CONCLUSION

There are important identifiable determinants of non-adherence in patients with dyslipidemia. These patients benefit from a specific approach to minimize the problem and maximize the potential benefit of the prescription.

Initiation and Single Dispensing in Cardiovascular and Insulin Medications: Prevalence and Explanatory Factors

Background: Adherence problems have negative effects on health, but there is little information on the magnitude of non-initiation and single dispensing. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of non-initiation and single dispensation and identify associated predictive factors for the main treatments prescribed in Primary Care (PC) for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes. Methods: Cohort study with real-world data. Patients who received a first prescription (2013–2014) for insulins, platelet aggregation inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) or statins in Catalan PC were included. The prevalence of non-initiation and single dispensation was calculated. Factors that explained these behaviours were explored. Results: At three months, between 5.7% (ACEI) and 9.1% (antiplatelets) of patients did not initiate their treatment and between 10.6% (statins) and 18.4% (ACEI) filled a single prescription. Body mass index, previous CVD, place of origin and having a substitute prescriber, among others, influenced the risk of non-initiation and single dispensation. Conclusions: The prevalence of non-initiation and single dispensation of CVD medications and insulin prescribed in PC in is high. Patient and health-system factors, such as place of origin and type of prescriber, should be taken into consideration when prescribing new medications for CVD and diabetes.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Factors Associated With Nonadherence and Discontinuation of Statins Among People Aged ≥65 Years

Background

Older individuals (aged ≥65 years) are commonly prescribed statins but may experience a range of barriers in adhering to therapy. The factors associated with poor statin adherence and/or discontinuation among this population have not been comprehensively reviewed.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review to identify English articles published through December 12, 2016 that reported factors associated with nonadherence and/or discontinuation of statins among older persons. Data were pooled via random-effects meta-analysis techniques.

Results

Forty-five articles reporting data from more than 1.8 million older statin users from 13 countries were included. The factors associated with increased statin nonadherence were black/non-white race (odds ratio [OR] 1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-1.98), female gender (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.03-1.13), current smoker (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.21), higher copayments (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.25-1.52), new user (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.21-2.07), lower number of concurrent cardiovascular medications (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.09), primary prevention (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.40-1.59), having respiratory disorders (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.12-1.23) or depression (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), and not having renal disease (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.14). The factors associated with increased statin discontinuation were lower income status (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.06-1.36), current smoker (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23), higher copayment (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.53-1.70), higher number of medications (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06), presence of dementia (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.36), cancer (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.11-1.33) or respiratory disorders (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.34), primary prevention (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.24-2.22), and not having hypertension (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.07-1.20) or diabetes (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.04-1.15).

Conclusion

Interventions that target potentially modifiable factors including financial and social barriers, patients' perceptions about disease risk as well as polypharmacy may improve statin use in the older population.

Tailored interventions by community pharmacists and general practitioners improve adherence to statins in a Spanish randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of health professionals' intervention on adherence to statins, the influence on total cholesterol levels, and lifestyle patterns in patients with hypercholesterolemia and analyze the differences according to the center of recruitment.

STUDY SETTING

Forty-six community pharmacies and 50 primary care centers of Spain.

STUDY DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial design (n = 746). Patients were assigned into adherent (ADH) or nonadherent group depending on their initial adherence to statins. Nonadherent patients were randomly assigned to intervention (INT) or nonintervention (NOINT) group. Patients enrolled in the INT group received an intervention depending on the cause of nonadherence. Patients in the ADH and NOINT groups received usual care. Intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis was performed with multiple imputation to replace the missing data.

DATA COLLECTION

Adherence, total cholesterol levels, and lifestyle behaviors.

FINDINGS

The odds of becoming adherent during the 6 months was higher in the INT group compared to the NOINT group (OR = 1,49; 95% CI: 1.30-1.76; P < 0.001), especially in the community pharmacy group (OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.81-3.03; P < 0.001). Adherent patients showed lower values of total cholesterol compared with nonadherent patients at baseline (ADH: 200.3 mg/dL vs NOADH: 216.7 mg/dL; P < 0.001) and at the endpoint (ADH: 197.3 mg/dL vs NOADH: 212.2 mg/dL; P < 0.001). More patients enrolled in the INT group practices exercise at the end of the study (INT: +26.6 percent; P = 0.002), and a greater number of patients followed a diet to treat hypercholesterolemia (+30.2 percent; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention performed by health professionals, especially by community pharmacists, improved adherence to statins by hypercholesterolemic patients, and this improvement in adherence was accompanied by a reduction in total cholesterol levels and a healthier lifestyle.

Systematic review of the predictors of statin adherence for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

INTRODUCTION

Previous research has shown that statin adherence for the primary prevention of CVD is lower compared to secondary prevention populations. Therefore the aim of this systematic review was to review predictors of statin adherence for the primary prevention of CVD.

METHODS

A systematic search of papers published between Jan 1984 and May 2017 was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, EMbase and CINAHL databases. A study was eligible for inclusion if; 1) it was a study of the general population or of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes or arthritis; 2) statins were prescribed; 3) adherence was defined and measured as the extent to which patients followed their statin regimen during the period of prescription, and 4) it was an original trial or observational study (excluding case reports). A study was subsequently excluded if 1) results were not presented separately for primary prevention; 2) it was a trial of an intervention (for example patient education). Papers were reviewed by two researchers and consensus agreed with a third. A quality assessment (QA) tool was used to formally assess each included article. To evaluate the effect of predictors, data were quantitatively and qualitatively synthesised.

RESULTS

In total 19 studies met the inclusion criteria and nine were evaluated as high quality using the QA tool. The proportion of patients classed as "adherent" ranged from 17.8% to 79.2%. Potential predictors of statin adherence included traditional risk factors for CVD such as age, being male, diabetes and hypertension. Income associated with adherence more strongly in men than women, and highly educated men were more likely and highly educated women less likely to be adherent. Alcohol misuse and high BMI associated with non-adherence. There was no association between polypharmacy and statin adherence. The evidence base for the effect of other lifestyle factors and health beliefs on statin adherence was limited.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence suggests that patients with more traditional risk factors for CVD are more likely to be adherent to statins. The implications for future research are discussed.

Effectiveness of mailed letters to improve medication adherence among Medicare Advantage Plan participants with chronic conditions

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence is associated with improved health outcomes in multiple chronic diseases. Information is needed on the effectiveness of specific adherence interventions. This study's objectives were to quantify effects of a targeted mailing intervention on adherence among older adults at risk for nonadherence, and to examine associations of individual and plan characteristics with adherence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Among adults enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan with prescription drug coverage from May 2014 to June 2015, those identified as eligible for the mailing intervention had a late refill for oral antidiabetic medication, statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, or angiotensin receptor blocker medication and were previously unreachable by telephone. Pharmacy claims data were analyzed with the outcome of 6-month proportion of days covered (PDC) before and after the mailing. The t-test and chi-square analyses were used to evaluate univariate associations. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were conducted to assess relative covariate effects. A sub-analysis of those with at least one medication fill post-mailing was also performed.

RESULTS

A total of 460 non-adherent individuals aged 70±10.5 years, with 50.2% female and 66.7% white individuals, were included. Of those who were mailed a letter, 24.1% became adherent to the specified maintenance medication. Those who received >30-day supplies were more than twice as likely to become adherent after the mailed letter than those who received 30-day supplies or less (P<0.05). Baseline higher PDC was also associated with greater adherence post-mailing (P<0.01). A total of 284 (61.7%) individuals filled their medication at least once after the mailed letter; of those, 39.1% became adherent (mean [SD] change in PDC =0.15 [±0.28]).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a single mailed letter improved medication adherence by 24.1% in adults with chronic conditions. As a health plan seeking to improve its customers' well-being and outcomes, Cigna continues to utilize targeted mail interventions to improve medication adherence.

Implications of prescribing a fixed-dose combination in clinical cardiology practice: a retrospective observational study using a single medical centre database in Korea

Objective

Fixed-dose combination (FDC) prescribing enhances adherence to medication. However, there are limited data regarding the usefulness of FDC drugs across different risk groups. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between FDC discontinuation and clinical outcomes.

Methods

From January 2008 to December 2014, patients with FDC prescriptions who visited a cardiology outpatient clinic at a tertiary university hospital in Daegu, Republic of Korea were retrospectively identified. The 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk score and 20 conventional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors were assessed. Patients were classified according to FDC continuation, together with a tertile of 20 risks. CV events were defined as the composite of admission for worsening heart failure or diabetes, stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and CV death.

Results

502 patients were prescribed with one of the following FDC products: calcium channel blocker (CCB) plus angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), CCB plus statins, and ARB plus diuretics. During follow-up (mean 2.8±2.4 years), 203 discontinuations (40.4%) occurred. FDC-discontinued patients had lower ASCVD risk scores (24.8% vs. 28.8%, p<0.001), and patients with <6 risk factors discontinued FDC frequently. During follow-up, 57 events (11.4%) were reported: 30 (14.8%) in FDC-discontinued patients and 27 (9.1%) in FDC-continued patients (p=0.062). In multivariate models accounting for events, FDC discontinuation (p<0.001) and high ASCVD risk score (p=0.017) were associated with CV events.

Conclusions

FDC discontinuation was common among patients attending the cardiology outpatient clinic. Our analyses suggest that FDC discontinuation in patients at high ASCVD risk may have an impact on CV event rates.

Contemporary rates and correlates of statin use and adherence in nondiabetic adults with cardiovascular risk factors: The KP CHAMP study

BACKGROUND

Statin therapy is highly efficacious in the prevention of fatal and nonfatal atherosclerotic events in persons at increased cardiovascular risk. However, its long-term effectiveness in practice depends on a high level of medication adherence by patients.

METHODS

We identified nondiabetic adults with cardiovascular risk factors between 2008 and 2010 within a large integrated health care delivery system in Northern California. Through 2013, we examined the use and adherence of newly initiated statin therapy based on data from dispensed prescriptions from outpatient pharmacy databases.

RESULTS

Among 209,704 eligible adults, 68,085 (32.5%) initiated statin therapy during the follow-up period, with 90.4% receiving low-potency statins. At 12 and 24 months after initiating statins, 84.3% and 80.2%, respectively, were actively receiving statin therapy, but only 42% and 30%, respectively, had no gaps in treatment during those time periods. There was also minimal switching between statins or use of other lipid-lowering therapies for augmentation during follow-up. Age≥50 years, Asian/Pacific Islander race, Hispanic ethnicity, prior myocardial infarction, prior ischemic stroke, hypertension, and baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol>100 mg/dL were associated with higher adjusted odds, whereas female gender, black race, current smoking, dementia were associated with lower adjusted odds, of active statin treatment at 12 months after initiation.

CONCLUSIONS

There remain opportunities for improving prevention in patients at risk for cardiovascular events. Our study identified certain patient subgroups that may benefit from interventions to enhance medication adherence, particularly by minimizing treatment gaps and discontinuation of statin therapy within the first year of treatment.

Adherence Tradeoff to Multiple Preventive Therapies and All-Cause Mortality After Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), beta-blockers and statins are recommended after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Patients may adhere to some, but not all, therapies.

OBJECTIVES

The authors investigated the effect of tradeoffs in adherence to ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, and statins on survival among older people after AMI.

METHODS

The authors identified 90,869 Medicare beneficiaries ≥65 years of age who had prescriptions for ACE inhibitors/ARBs, beta-blockers, and statins, and survived ≥180 days after AMI hospitalization in 2008 to 2010. Adherence was measured by proportion of days covered (PDC) during 180 days following hospital discharge. Mortality follow-up extended up to 18 months after this period. The authors used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios of mortality for groups adherent to 2, 1, or none of the therapies versus group adherent to all 3 therapies.

RESULTS

Only 49% of the patients adhered (PDC ≥80%) to all 3 therapies. Compared with being adherent to all 3 therapies, multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for mortality were 1.12 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.21) for being adherent to ACE inhibitors/ARBs and beta-blockers only, 0.98 (95% CI: 0.91 to 1.07) for ACEI/ARBs and statins only, 1.17 (95% CI: 1.10 to 1.25) beta-blockers and statins only, 1.19 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.32) for ACE inhibitors/ARBs only, 1.32 (95% CI: 1.21 to 1.44) for beta-blockers only, 1.26 (95% CI: 1.15 to 1.38) statins only, and 1.65 (95% CI: 1.54 to 1.76) for being nonadherent (PDC <80%) to all 3 therapies.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients adherent to ACE inhibitors/ARBs and statins only had similar mortality rates as those adherent to all 3 therapies, suggesting limited additional benefit for beta-blockers in patients who were adherent to statins and ACE inhibitors/ARBs. Nonadherence to ACE inhibitors/ARBs and/or statins was associated with higher mortality.

Influence of route of administration/drug formulation and other factors on adherence to treatment in rheumatoid arthritis (pain related) and dyslipidemia (non-pain related)

OBJECTIVES

A comprehensive review was performed to investigate the effect of route of administration on medication adherence and persistence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare adherence/persistence with oral medications between RA and a non-painful disease (dyslipidemia).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Comprehensive database searches were performed to identify studies investigating medication adherence and/or persistence in adults with RA receiving conventional synthetic or biologic agents. Similar searches were performed for studies of patients with dyslipidemia receiving statins. Studies had to be published after 1998 in English and involve ≥6 months' follow up.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Adherence and persistence were compared between the different routes of drug administration in RA, and between the two diseases for oral medications.

RESULTS

A total of 35 and 28 papers underwent data extraction for RA and dyslipidemia, respectively. Within the constraints of the analysis, adherence and persistence rates appeared broadly similar for the different routes of drug administration in RA. Adherence to oral medications was also broadly similar across the two diseases, but persistence was lower in dyslipidemia. Poor adherence has clinical consequences in both diseases: greater disease activity and risk of flare in RA, and increased serum cholesterol levels and risk of heart and cerebrovascular disease in dyslipidemia. Over 1-3 years, poor adherence to biologic RA medications led to increased resource use and medical costs but lower total direct costs due to reduced biologic drug costs. Conversely, poor adherence to dyslipidemia medications resulted in increased total direct costs. In both diseases, adherence improved with patient education/support.

CONCLUSIONS

The route of drug administration and the symptomatic (pain) nature of the disease do not appear to be dominant factors for drug adherence or persistence in RA.

LIMITATION

The wide range of adherence and persistence values and definitions across studies made comparisons between drug formulations and diseases difficult.

Attitudes and actions: A survey to assess statin use among Finnish patients with increased risk for cardiovascular events

BACKGROUND

Statins are the first-line treatment for lowering serum cholesterol and preventing coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients who fail to comply with the prescribed statin treatment face a markedly increased risk for cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the article was to study the subjective factors, which modulate persistence with and adherence to statin therapy among Finnish patients at high risk for cardiovascular events.

METHODS

A total of 1022 Finnish adults diagnosed with CAD, diabetes, hypertension, or severe hereditary dyslipidemia completed an electronic questionnaire survey during a visit in 1 of the 84 community pharmacies participating in the study.

RESULTS

Thirty-four percent of the survey respondents were diagnosed with CAD or severe hereditary dyslipidemia and 82% were current or former statin users. Prevalence of nonpersistence with statin therapy was 15% among CAD patients and 17% among respondents without the diagnosis. Most of the nonpersistent statin users had discontinued the medication without consultation of a physician. None of the studied sociodemographic background factors were associated with persistence with statin therapy. Instead, experienced adverse effects, fear of adverse effects, perceived lack of need, and difficulties in use of a statin emerged as powerful predictors of nonpersistence. Awareness of treatment goals was low, and strikingly, public discussion about adverse effects of statins had induced nearly every third discontinuation of statin treatment.

CONCLUSION

Several subjective, potentially modifiable reasons for nonpersistence were identified from the patient perspective. Improved utilization of patient-centered approaches in pharmacologic management of cardiovascular risks is necessary to improve adherence, and ultimately, treatment outcomes.

Measuring medication adherence in patients with incident hypertension: a retrospective cohort study

Background

Though pharmacy claims data are commonly used to study medication adherence, there remains no standard operational definition for adherence especially for patients on multiple medications. Even when studies use the same terminology, the actual methods of calculating adherence can differ drastically. It is unclear whether the use of different definitions results in different conclusions regarding adherence and associated outcomes. The objective of our study was to compare adherence rates and associations with mortality using different operational definitions of adherence, and using various methods of handling concurrent medication use.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of patients aged ≥65 years from Manitoba, Canada, with incident hypertension diagnosed in 2004 and followed to 2009. We calculated adherence rates to anti-hypertensive medications using different operational definitions of medication adherence (including interval and prescription based medication possession ratios [MPR] and proportion of days covered [PDC]). For those on concurrent medications, we calculated adherence rates using the different methods of handling concurrent medication use, for each definition. We used logistic regression to determine the association between adherence and mortality for each operational definition.

Results

Among 2199 patients, 24.1% to 90.5% and 71.2% to 92.7% were considered adherent when using fixed interval and prescription-based interval medication possession ratios [MPRi and MPRp] respectively, depending on how concurrent medications were handled. Adherence was inversely associated with death, with the strongest association for MPRp measures. This association was significant only when considering adherence to any anti-hypertensive [aOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.51, 0.97], or when the mean of the class-specific MPRp’s [adjusted OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53, 0.95] was used. No significant association existed when the highest or lowest class-specific MPRp was used as the adherence estimate.

Conclusion

The range of adherence estimates varies widely depending on the operational definition used. Given less variation in adherence rates and their stronger association against mortality, we recommend using prescription-based MPR’s to define medication adherence.

Secondary CV Prevention in South America in a Community Setting: The PURE Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the availability of evidence-based therapies, there is no information on the use of medications for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in urban and rural community settings in South America.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to assess the use, and its predictors, of effective secondary prevention therapies in individuals with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke.

METHODS

In the PURE (Prospective Urban Rural Epidemiological) study, we enrolled 24,713 individuals from South America ages 35 to 70 years from 97 rural and urban communities in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. We assessed the use of proven therapies with standardized questionnaires. We report estimates of drug use at national, community, and individual levels and the independent predictors of their utilization through a multivariable analysis model.

RESULTS

Of 24,713 individuals, 910 had a self-reported CHD event (at a median of 5 years earlier) and 407 had stroke (6 years earlier). The proportions of individuals with CHD who received antiplatelet medications (30.1%), beta-blockers (34.2%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin-receptor blockers (36.0%), or statins (18.0%) were low; with even lower proportions among stroke patients (antiplatelets 24.3%, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin-receptor blockers 37.6%, statins 9.8%). A substantial proportion of patients did not receive any proven therapy (CHD 31%, stroke 54%). A minority of patients received either all 4 (4.1%) or 3 proven therapies (3.3%). Male sex, age >60 years, better education, more wealth, urban location, diabetes, and obesity were associated with higher rates of medication use. In a multivariable model, markers of wealth had the largest impact in secondary prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

There are large gaps in the use of proven medications for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in South America. Strategies to improve the sustained use of these medications will likely reduce cardiovascular disease burden substantially.

The decreased achievement of therapeutic goal in lipid lowering therapy in obese and diabetic patients in Poland

BACKGROUND

Statins are used to reduce a cardiovascular risk. However, the effectiveness of the therapy in many cases remains unsatisfactory. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of obesity and diabetes on the achievement of therapeutic goal in lipid-lowering therapy in patients with a various cardiovascular risk in the daily clinical practice.

METHODS

This study was conducted on the basis of questionnaires obtained from 7018 patients (41.4% obese, 65.9% viscerally obese and 25.3% diabetics) treated with statins for at least three months. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed in a subgroup of 3218 patients with a full lipid profile.

RESULTS

The LDL-cholesterol target, adjusted for cardiovascular risk, was obtained by 8.1% of patients, less frequently by those with a very high risk of a cardiovascular disease (3.7%), obesity (5.5%), visceral obesity (5.5%) and the type 2 diabetes (5.3%). The obese patients with type 2 diabetes were the least likely to reach the target (3.0%). Male gender, age, the body mass index (BMI)≥28kg/m², visceral obesity, type 2 diabetes, and a low/moderate statin dose prescription were independent factors decreasing the chance of reaching the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol target.

CONCLUSIONS

1. The prescribed statin doses do not fully explain the lower frequency of achieving the recommended target in a lipid-lowering therapy in the obese patients and the diabetics. 2. In the daily clinical practice the doses of statins are frequently insufficient and not adjusted for a cardiovascular risk.

Predictors of first-year statin medication discontinuation: A cohort study

BACKGROUND

The discontinuation of statin medication is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and, among high-risk patients, all-cause mortality, but the reasons for discontinuation among statin initiators in clinical practice are poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To examine factors predicting the early discontinuation of statin therapy.

METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, participants with baseline measurements before the initiation of statin treatment were linked to national registers and followed for the discontinuation of statins during the first year of treatment (no filled prescriptions after statin initiation within the subsequent 12 months).

RESULTS

Of all the 9285 statin initiators, 12% (n = 1142) were discontinuers. Obesity, overweight, vascular comorbidities, and older age were independently associated with a reduced risk of discontinuation [odds ratios (OR) = 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.99), 0.85 (95% CI, 0.73-0.98), 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68-0.93), and 0.82 (95% CI, 0.68-0.99), respectively]. In contrast, high-patient cost-sharing was associated with an increased odds (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.62) for discontinuation. The only significant difference between the sexes (P = .002) was observed among the participants with risky alcohol use, which was associated with a decreased odds for discontinuation among the men (OR = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.49-0.98) and an increased odds among the women (OR = 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02-1.62).

CONCLUSIONS

The discontinuation of statin therapy during the first year after initiation is common. Lowering out-of-pocket expenditures and focusing on low-risk patient groups and women with risky alcohol use could help maintain the continuation of medication.

Discontinuation and restarting in patients on statin treatment: prospective open cohort study using a primary care database

OBJECTIVES

 To estimate rates of discontinuation and restarting of statins, and to identify patient characteristics associated with either discontinuation or restarting.

DESIGN

 Prospective open cohort study.

SETTING

 664 general practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink in the United Kingdom. Data extracted in October 2014.

PARTICIPANTS

 Incident statin users aged 25-84 years identified between January 2002 and September 2013. Patients with statin prescriptions divided into two groups: primary prevention and secondary prevention (those already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease). Patients with statin prescriptions in the 12 months before study entry were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

 Discontinuation of statin treatment (first 90 day gap after the estimated end date of a statin prescription), and restarting statin treatment for those who discontinued (defined as any subsequent prescription between discontinuation and study end).

RESULTS

 Of 431 023 patients prescribed statins as primary prevention with a median follow-up time of 137 weeks, 47% (n=204 622) discontinued treatment and 72% (n=147 305) of those who discontinued restarted. Of 139 314 patients prescribed statins as secondary prevention with median follow-up time of 182 weeks, 41% (n=57 791) discontinued treatment and 75% (43 211) of those who discontinued restarted. Younger patients (aged ≤50 years), older patients (≥75 years), women, and patients with chronic liver disease were more likely to discontinue statins and less likely to restart. However, patients in ethnic minority groups, current smokers, and patients with type 1 diabetes were more likely to discontinue treatment but then were more likely to restart, whereas patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes were less likely to discontinue treatment and more likely to restart if they did discontinue. These results were mainly consistent in the primary prevention and secondary prevention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

 Although a large proportion of statin users discontinue, many of them restart. For many patient groups previously considered as "stoppers," the problem of statin treatment "stopping" could be part of the wider issue of poor adherence. Identification of patient groups associated with completely stopping or stop-starting behaviour has positive implications for patients and doctors as well as suggesting areas for future research.

Statin adherence and risk of acute cardiovascular events among women: a cohort study accounting for time-dependent confounding affected by previous adherence

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies on the effect of statin adherence on cardiovascular events in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease have adjusted for time-dependent confounding, but potentially introduced bias into their estimates as adherence and confounders were measured simultaneously. We aimed to evaluate the effect when accounting for time-dependent confounding affected by previous adherence as well as time sequence between factors.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Finnish healthcare registers.

PARTICIPANTS

Women aged 45-64 years initiating statin use for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in 2001-2004 (n=42 807).

OUTCOMES

Acute cardiovascular event defined as a composite of acute coronary syndrome and acute ischaemic stroke was our primary outcome. Low-energy fractures were used as a negative control outcome to evaluate the healthy-adherer effect.

RESULTS

During the 3-year follow-up, 474 women experienced the primary outcome event and 557 suffered a low-energy fracture. The causal HR estimated with marginal structural model for acute cardiovascular events for all the women who remained adherent (proportion of days covered ≥80%) to statin therapy during the previous adherence assessment year was 0.78 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.94) when compared with everybody remaining non-adherent (proportion of days covered <80%). The result was robust against alternative model specifications. Statin adherers had a potentially reduced risk of experiencing low-energy fractures compared with non-adherers (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study, which took into account the time dependence of adherence and confounders, as well as temporal order between these factors, is support for the concept that adherence to statins in women in primary prevention decreases the risk of acute cardiovascular events by about one-fifth in comparison to non-adherence. However, part of the observed effect of statin adherence on acute cardiovascular events may be due to the healthy-adherer effect.

Adherence to statin therapy and the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients with diabetes

PURPOSE

We aimed to quantify for the first time the relationship between statin adherence and ischemic stroke (IS) in patients with diabetes.

METHODS

Using Finnish health registers, we assembled a cohort of 52 868 statin initiators with diabetes in 1995-2006. We conducted a nested case-control analysis matching cases with IS with up to four controls for age, sex, date of statin initiation and follow-up duration. Adjusted rate ratios for IS were estimated with conditional logistic regression. Additional potential confounders were considered with inverse probability weighting and the role of unmeasured confounding using external adjustment. Statin adherence was measured as the proportion of days covered (PDC).

RESULTS

Among 1703 cases and 6799 controls, good adherence to statins (PDC ≥ 80%) was associated with a 23% decreased incidence of IS (95%CI 14-32%) compared with poor adherence (PDC < 80%). This association remained broadly unchanged when stratified by sex, age, history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or IS. There was a dose-response relationship between adherence level and the risk of IS (RR 0.63 [0.53-0.75] for PDC ≥ 80% versus PDC < 20%, P for trend <0.0001). Among patients with good adherence, those initiating with low intensity statin therapy had a 15% lower incidence (95%CI 2-27%) and those initiating with moderate intensity therapy a 29% lower incidence (16-41%) of IS compared with those with poor adherence who initiated with low intensity therapy. Our sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of the results.

CONCLUSIONS

In diabetes, poor statin adherence may considerably increase the risk of IS both in primary and secondary prevention of IS.

Low statin use in adults hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To assess recommended and actual use of statins in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on clinical prediction scores in adults who develop their first acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHOD

Cross-sectional study of 3172 adults without previous CVD hospitalized with ACS at 4 university centers in Switzerland. The number of participants eligible for statins before hospitalization was estimated based on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines and compared to the observed number of participants on statins at hospital entry.

RESULTS

Overall, 1171 (37%) participants were classified as high-risk (10-year risk of cardiovascular mortality ≥5% or diabetes); 1025 (32%) as intermediate risk (10-year risk <5% but ≥1%); and 976 (31%) as low risk (10-year risk <1%). Before hospitalization, 516 (16%) were on statins; among high-risk participants, only 236 of 1171 (20%) were on statins. If ESC primary prevention guidelines had been fully implemented, an additional 845 high-risk adults (27% of the whole sample) would have been eligible for statins before hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Although statins are recommended for primary prevention in high-risk adults, only one-fifth of them are on statins when hospitalized for a first ACS.

Influence of Retirement on Adherence to Statins in the Insurance Medicine All-Sweden Total Population Data Base

Background

Retirement has been suggested to reduce medication adherence, but no evidence is available for statins. We investigated changes in adherence to statins among Swedish adults after retirement.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was carried out on all individuals living in Sweden on 31 December 2004, alive in 2010, having purchased statins in the second half of 2005, and retired in 2008 (n=11 718). We used prescription dispensing data in 2006–2010 to determine nonadherence (defined as <80% of days covered by filled prescriptions) before and after old-age or disability retirement. Using multiple repeat measurements of filled statin prescriptions, we calculated the annual prevalence rates of nonadherence for those who continued therapy. Discontinuation was defined as no statin dispensations during a calendar year.

Results

After adjustment for age at retirement, the prevalence ratio (PR) of nonadherence after retirement in comparison with those before retirement was 1.23 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–1.29] for the men and 1.19 (95% CI 1.13–1.26) for the women. A post-retirement increase in nonadherence was consistently observed across the strata of age at retirement, marital status, education, income, type of retirement, and participants with and without cardiovascular disease, the largest increases being observed for statin use in secondary prevention (men: PR 1.38, 95% CI 1.26–1.54; women: PR 1.43, 1.18–1.72). For primary prevention, the corresponding prevalence ratios were 1.18 (95% CI 1.13‒1.25) and 1.18 (95% CI 1.11–1.24), respectively.

Interpretation

Retirement appears to be associated with increased nonadherence to statin therapy among Swedish men and women.