Adam J Nelson1,2, Rishi Puri3, Steven E Nissen4. 1. Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, US. 2. South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia. 3. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (C5R), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic JB-20, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. 4. Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Coordinating Center for Clinical Research (C5R), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic JB-20, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA. nissens@ccf.org.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins have proven efficacy with a favorable safety profile yet, despite being widely affordable, remain profoundly underutilized. Statins have acquired a bad reputation, which is likely contributing to high rates of nonadherence and discontinuation. The degree to which negative media perceptions contribute to underutilization is unclear. RECENT FINDINGS: The media has a key role in informing discussion on the public agenda but also on how issues are framed. In this context, the majority of studies evaluating news coverage suggest that the content on statins is predominantly negative and focused on potential harm. Studies utilizing quasi-experimental and interrupted time series design have shown periods of negative news stories on statins in multiple countries are associated with (a) less statin commencement in eligible patients, (b) high rates of discontinuation, and (c) poor long-term adherence. This review highlights the deleterious impact of negative media coverage on statin utilization through misattribution of muscle complaints and the nocebo effect. Academia must work with the media to harmonize the public health messaging; however, individual physicians have a critical role in mitigating a harmful narrative of misinformation and actively discredit malinformation.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Statins have proven efficacy with a favorable safety profile yet, despite being widely affordable, remain profoundly underutilized. Statins have acquired a bad reputation, which is likely contributing to high rates of nonadherence and discontinuation. The degree to which negative media perceptions contribute to underutilization is unclear. RECENT FINDINGS: The media has a key role in informing discussion on the public agenda but also on how issues are framed. In this context, the majority of studies evaluating news coverage suggest that the content on statins is predominantly negative and focused on potential harm. Studies utilizing quasi-experimental and interrupted time series design have shown periods of negative news stories on statins in multiple countries are associated with (a) less statin commencement in eligible patients, (b) high rates of discontinuation, and (c) poor long-term adherence. This review highlights the deleterious impact of negative media coverage on statin utilization through misattribution of muscle complaints and the nocebo effect. Academia must work with the media to harmonize the public health messaging; however, individual physicians have a critical role in mitigating a harmful narrative of misinformation and actively discredit malinformation.
Authors: Maciej Banach; Paweł Burchardt; Krzysztof Chlebus; Piotr Dobrowolski; Dariusz Dudek; Krzysztof Dyrbuś; Mariusz Gąsior; Piotr Jankowski; Jacek Jóźwiak; Longina Kłosiewicz-Latoszek; Irina Kowalska; Maciej Małecki; Aleksander Prejbisz; Michał Rakowski; Jacek Rysz; Bogdan Solnica; Dariusz Sitkiewicz; Grażyna Sygitowicz; Grażyna Sypniewska; Tomasz Tomasik; Adam Windak; Dorota Zozulińska-Ziółkiewicz; Barbara Cybulska Journal: Arch Med Sci Date: 2021-11-08 Impact factor: 3.318
Authors: Adam J Nelson; Kevin Haynes; Sonali Shambhu; Zubin Eapen; Mark J Cziraky; Michael G Nanna; Sara B Calvert; Kerrin Gallagher; Neha J Pagidipati; Christopher B Granger Journal: J Am Coll Cardiol Date: 2022-05-10 Impact factor: 27.203
Authors: In Sun Ryou; Jooyoung Chang; Joung Sik Son; Ahryoung Ko; Seulggie Choi; Kyuwoong Kim; Sung Min Kim; Sang Min Park Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-04-07 Impact factor: 2.692