Adherence with statins over 8 years in a usual care setting.
OBJECTIVE
To describe adherence with statin treatment in a usual practice setting and to investigate potential determinants of better adherence.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study using administrative claims data.


METHODS
Study patients were 47,680 individuals enrolled in the Central District of Clalit Health Services HMO in Israel who filled at least 1 prescription for statins between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2006. Data were retrieved on patients' sex, year of birth and immigration, socioeconomic status, and whether they had diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases.


RESULTS
Mean age at the beginning of treatment was 61.3 +/- 11.8 years; 53.3% of the study patients were women. The proportion with at least 1 chronic disease before starting statins was 40.1%; and 38.9%, 21.8%, and 9.6% of the patients were continuously adherent after 1, 3, and 6 years, respectively. Risk of discontinuation was highest among new immigrants (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14, 1.27). Adherence was higher in patients having a chronic disease before starting statins (HR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.84, 0.94) or after starting statins (HR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.86, 0.95). Patients age <50 or >79 years had lower adherence rates. Low socioeconomic state did not affect adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence with statin therapy was poor, though adherence rates were better in patients with accompanying chronic diseases. Of particular concern was the low level of adherence in new immigrants. Intervention programs are needed and should target all patient groups.
Vinker
Shlomo
S
Department of Family Medicine, Tel Aviv University, POB 14238, Ashdod 77042, Israel. vinker01@zahav.net.il
Shani
Michal
M
Baevsky
Tuvia
T
Elhayany
Asher
A
D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007345:Insurance Claim Review; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors