Jenny P Tsai1, Paula A Rochon2, Stavroula Raptis3, Susan E Bronskill4, Chaim M Bell5, Gustavo Saposnik6. 1. Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Women's College Research Institute, Department of Medicine, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Stroke Outcomes Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 4. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 5. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 6. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Stroke Outcomes Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: saposnikg@smh.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is important for optimal secondary stroke prevention. We evaluated short-term adherence to antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents after a new ischemic stroke, as predictor of adherence at 1 and 2 years. METHODS: A 5-year cohort of patients from 11 institutions in the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network was linked to population-based administrative health records. Patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and discharged home were included. Medication adherence was assessed through documented prescription filling at 7 days, 1 year, and 2 years. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2008, 6437 ischemic stroke patients were discharged home from hospital, and 1126 patients filled a prescription for antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents within 7 days of discharge. Patients provided with a prescription at discharge were more likely to show adherence at 7 days. Adherence at 1 year remains higher in these patients for antihypertensive (93.8% vs. 87.7%; odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-3.16), lipid-lowering agents (88% vs. 81.6%; OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.36-2.32), or both (85.8% vs. 79.9%; OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.32-2.25). Findings are similar at 2 years for antihypertensive (92.2% vs. 87.7%; OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.3-2.43), lipid-lowering agents (82.6% vs. 79.0%; OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.69), or both (81.1% vs. 77.0%; OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.09-1.82). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of a prescription strengthens adherence at 1 week from discharge for both prior and new users of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs. Medication adherence at 1 week after discharge for acute ischemic stroke predicts adherence for secondary preventive therapies at 1 and 2 years.
BACKGROUND: Medication adherence is important for optimal secondary stroke prevention. We evaluated short-term adherence to antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents after a new ischemic stroke, as predictor of adherence at 1 and 2 years. METHODS: A 5-year cohort of patients from 11 institutions in the Registry of the Canadian Stroke Network was linked to population-based administrative health records. Patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and discharged home were included. Medication adherence was assessed through documented prescription filling at 7 days, 1 year, and 2 years. RESULTS: From 2003 to 2008, 6437 ischemic strokepatients were discharged home from hospital, and 1126 patients filled a prescription for antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents within 7 days of discharge. Patients provided with a prescription at discharge were more likely to show adherence at 7 days. Adherence at 1 year remains higher in these patients for antihypertensive (93.8% vs. 87.7%; odds ratio [OR], 2.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.69-3.16), lipid-lowering agents (88% vs. 81.6%; OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.36-2.32), or both (85.8% vs. 79.9%; OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.32-2.25). Findings are similar at 2 years for antihypertensive (92.2% vs. 87.7%; OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.3-2.43), lipid-lowering agents (82.6% vs. 79.0%; OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.01-1.69), or both (81.1% vs. 77.0%; OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.09-1.82). CONCLUSIONS: Provision of a prescription strengthens adherence at 1 week from discharge for both prior and new users of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering drugs. Medication adherence at 1 week after discharge for acute ischemic stroke predicts adherence for secondary preventive therapies at 1 and 2 years.