Determinants of non-compliance with lipid-lowering therapy in hyperlipidemic patients.
OBJECTIVE
In order to assess the determinants of non-compliance with a lipid-lowering therapy, a prospective study of the hyperlipidemic Korean subjects was carried out.


METHODS
A total of 1019 patients was observed by 46 family physicians for the period of 1 year from January 1999 to January 2000. To ascertain the compliance associated with a lipid lowering drug (Simvastatin), we regularly followed up the hyperlipidemic patients at intervals of 4, 12 and 24 weeks. The criterion for evaluating compliance is to measure clinic attendance. Using a structured questionnaire, patients and physicians were asked about risk factors for the compliance.


RESULTS
During the first 24 weeks of treatment, the lipid-lowering medication was continued by 52.3% and discontinued by 19.7%. The remaining 28% dropped out. Patient-related factors for non-compliance were young age, current smoker, lack of low fat diet and exercise, new user, no concomitant medication, and occurrence of adverse reactions. Physician-related factors for non-compliance were low patients' satisfaction with the physician, small number of hyperlipidemic patients per month and working in a relatively small hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Compliance with the lipid-lowering therapy was relatively low and several factors for non-compliance were detected.
Kim
Young Sik
YS
Department of Family Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 388-1 Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 138-736, Korea. youngkim@amc.seoul.kr
Sunwoo
Sung
S
Lee
Hye Ree
HR
Lee
Keun Mi
KM
Park
Yong Woo
YW
Shin
Ho Cheol
HC
Kim
Cheol Hwan
CH
Kim
Dae Hyun
DH
Kim
Byung Sung
BS
Cha
Hyeong Soo
HS
Huh
Bong Yul
BY
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D019821:Simvastatin