Nonadherence to statins: individualized intervention strategies outside the pill box

Abstract

Poor adherence to statin therapy is linked to significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events and death. Unfortunately, adherence to statins is far from optimal. This is an alarming concern for patients prescribed potentially life-saving cholesterol-lowering medication, especially for those at high risk of cardiovascular events. Research on statin adherence has only recently garnered broader attention; hence, major reasons unique to adherence to statin therapy need to be identified as well as suggestions for countermeasures. An integrated approach to minimizing barriers and enhancing facilitation at the levels of the patient, provider, and health system can help address adherence issues. Health care professionals including physicians, pharmacists, and nurses have an obligation to improve patient adherence, as routine care. In order to achieve sustained results, a multifaceted approach is indispensable.

Sex-differences in factors and outcomes associated with adherence to statin therapy in primary care: Need for customisation strategies

“…[1][2][3][4] However, adherence to statin therapy is extremely poor in clinical practice. [5][6][7][8] Medication non-adherence usually refers to whether patients fail to take the medication as directed (dose and frequency of regimen) and/or discontinue it prematurely [9]. It is a growing concern to clinicians, healthcare systems, and other stakeholders, [10] because of its high prevalence and its association with adverse outcomes and higher costs of care.…”

Treatment Eligibility and Therapeutic Responses of an Ecuadorian Population at High Cardiovascular Risk Based on the ATP III Guidelines

“…14 Previous studies on adherence to statin treatment showed that in longer periods of time (6 months), around 50-60% patients continue on treatment. 15,16 Treatment adherence was not considered in the present study, but we previously reported that one out of four patients (25%) stated to have forgotten at least one dose of their treatment, regardless of disease and duration of treatment. 17 Although the retrospective design of the study and the lack of a stratified sampling constitute limitations to the analysis of the results, we conclude that there is a very low rate of ATP III therapy goal achievement among patients with dyslipidemia categorized as high and very high cardiovascular risk, independently of the treatment option or its duration.…”

Use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders: evidence from National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines

“…Several authors have presented evidence that the knowledge of pharmacotherapy is associated with compliance, and consequently, there is a higher change of therapeutic success. (31)(32)(33)(34)(35) No studies were found evaluating the level of knowledge of the Brazilian population about the drugs. In this case, we point out the importance of performing nationwide studies that evaluate the knowledge of the population about pharmacotherapy, in order to direct strategies and public policies, with a view to therapeutic success.…”