Impact of pharmacy counseling on compliance and effectiveness of combination lipid-lowering therapy in patients undergoing coronary artery revascularization: a randomized, controlled trial.
This randomized, controlled trial evaluated the impact of personalized follow-up on compliance rates in high-risk patients receiving combination lipid-lowering therapy over 2 years. A random sample of 30 patients 7-30 days after cardiac surgery had baseline fasting low-density lipoprotein levels higher than 130 mg/dl. All patients received lovastatin 20 mg/day and colestipol 5 g twice/day. Weekly telephone contact was made with each patient for 12 weeks. Short- and long-term compliance was assessed by pill and packet counts and refill records. Compliance and lipid profile results were significantly better in the intervention group (p<0.05) up to 2 years after the start of therapy than in the control group for all parameters except high-density lipoprotein. However, this effect was not apparent during the first 12 weeks of therapy. Short-term telephone follow-up favorably affected compliance and lipid profile results up to 2 years after start of therapy.
Faulkner
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA.
Wadibia
E C
EC
Lucas
B D
BD
Hilleman
D E
DE
D000368:Aged; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003084:Colestipol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000379:methods; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010595:Pharmacists; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D008148:Lovastatin; D003084:Colestipol