AIMS: To determine the patterns and predictors of long-term adherence to statin therapy in all patients with diabetes in the community setting. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with diabetes who were resident in Tayside, Scotland from 1 January 1989 to 31 May 2003 and initiated statin treatment during that time. The main outcome measure was percentage of days covered (PDC) by a statin, calculated at regular intervals. Predictors of suboptimal adherence (PDC < 80%) were identified using generalized linear models for repeated measures. RESULTS: Six thousand four hundred and sixty-two patients were included in the study. In the first year, the mean PDC was 87, 61% in the first and second quarter, respectively, and 65% after 13 years. Less than 50% of patients maintained a PDC of > 80% after 13 years. Predictors of poor long-term adherence were younger age, higher HbA(1c), no history of smoking, no cardiovascular morbidity at baseline and occurrence of cardiovascular disease after statin commencement. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that barriers to long-term adherence to statins tend to arise early on in the therapeutic course. In general, long-term adherence is poor in patients with diabetes, especially among those with few other cardiovascular risk factors.
AIMS: To determine the patterns and predictors of long-term adherence to statin therapy in all patients with diabetes in the community setting. METHODS: We retrospectively studied patients with diabetes who were resident in Tayside, Scotland from 1 January 1989 to 31 May 2003 and initiated statin treatment during that time. The main outcome measure was percentage of days covered (PDC) by a statin, calculated at regular intervals. Predictors of suboptimal adherence (PDC < 80%) were identified using generalized linear models for repeated measures. RESULTS: Six thousand four hundred and sixty-two patients were included in the study. In the first year, the mean PDC was 87, 61% in the first and second quarter, respectively, and 65% after 13 years. Less than 50% of patients maintained a PDC of > 80% after 13 years. Predictors of poor long-term adherence were younger age, higher HbA(1c), no history of smoking, no cardiovascular morbidity at baseline and occurrence of cardiovascular disease after statin commencement. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that barriers to long-term adherence to statins tend to arise early on in the therapeutic course. In general, long-term adherence is poor in patients with diabetes, especially among those with few other cardiovascular risk factors.
Authors: Päivi Ruokoniemi; Maarit J Korhonen; Arja Helin-Salmivaara; Piia Lavikainen; Antti Jula; Seppo Y T Junnila; Raimo Kettunen; Risto Huupponen Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: L A Donnelly; A S F Doney; R Tavendale; C C Lang; E R Pearson; H M Colhoun; M I McCarthy; A T Hattersley; A D Morris; C N A Palmer Journal: Clin Pharmacol Ther Date: 2010-12-22 Impact factor: 6.875
Authors: H Dominguez; T K Schramm; M L Norgaard; S Z Abildstrøm; L Kober; C Jørgensen; T J Guterbaum; H E Poulsen; C Torp-Pedersen; G H Gislason Journal: Open Cardiovasc Med J Date: 2009-11-12