Associations of statin adherence and lipid targets with adverse outcomes in myocardial infarction survivors: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine associations between statin adherence and lipid target achievement in myocardial infarction (MI) survivors, and their associations with mortality and recurrent MIs.DesignRetrospective cohort study using linked clinical records within the National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC) Data Safe Haven.SettingRoutine clinical practice in the NHS GGC area between January 2009 and July 2017.ParticipantsPatients ≥18 years who experienced a non-fatal MI hospital admission (ICD10: I21, I22) between January 2009 and July 2014 (n=11 031), followed up from the date of MI admission until July 2017 or death, whichever occurred first.Primary and secondary outcome measuresStatin adherence was estimated using encashed prescriptions and lipid results from routine biochemistry data. Primary lipid and statin adherence targets were LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L and adherence ≥50%, and were related to all-cause death, deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) (ICD10: I00–I99 as the underlying cause), and recurrent MI in unadjusted models and models adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic deprivation and year of MI.ResultsOver 4.5 years follow-up, 76% achieved LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L, and 84.5% had average adherence ≥50%. Patients with adherence <50% had an increased risk of not meeting LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L, in adjusted models (OR 2.03, 95% CI 1.78 to 2.31, p<0.0001). In univariable models, not meeting LDL ≤1.8 mmol/L was associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.39, p<0.0001) and CVD mortality (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.51, p=0.0013). Adherence <50% was associated with increased risks of all-cause mortality (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.74, p<0.0001) and CVD mortality (HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.88, p<0.0001). Adjustment for confounders did not abrogate these associations. Neither exposure was associated with recurrent MIs.ConclusionsNon-achievement of lipid and adherence targets are associated with increased risks of all-cause and CVD mortality. Further work is required to optimise their use to improve outcomes in clinical practice.

Developing a post-myocardial infarction medicines optimisation clinic: core competencies for upskilling pharmacists and initial patient feedback

“… 5 In addition, adherence with preventive medicines for cardiovascular disease is often low, 6 despite the known links between reduced adherence, failure to achieve targets and inferior outcomes (including death). 7 13 14 Thus, the benefits of our medicines optimisation service may be highly significant for patients and for the healthcare system as a whole and can be delivered without compromising safety.…”

People living with human immunodeficiency virus: Cardiovascular risk screening for an early and effective risk management

“…Suboptimal adherence -including failure to initiate pharmacotherapy, to take medications as often as prescribed, and to persist on therapy in the long-term-is indeed a well-recognized determinant contributing to the poor control of a number of CV risk factors [8]. It has been suggested that low adherence to CV preventive treatment is associated with significant increase in CV risk in the general population [8,9].…”