title: Adherence to vascular protection drugs in diabetic patients in Quebec: a population-based analysis.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess adherence to vascular protection drugs in diabetic patients using a cohort of diabetic patients aged >or=30 years, covered by the public drug insurance in the province of Quebec, excluding gestational diabetes and patients who were hopitalized or died during the 1-year follow-up. Drug adherence was measured using the medication possession ratio. Multivariate analyses, including logit and multinomial logit were used. Of the 170,381 diabetics (mean age: 62 +/- 14 years), 18% and 32% were regular users of ASA and ACEIs/ARBs, respectively. Regular use increased with age (p<0.0001) and comorbidities (p<0.0001). Rural inhabitants were more likely to use ACEIs/ARBs (OR: 1.29; 95% CI: 1.26-1.32) and to be regular users (OR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.32-1.39). Similar results were found for ASA. In conclusion, despite the high cardiovascular risks associated with diabetes, less than one-third of diabetic adults took vascular-protection drugs regularly. This important issue needs proper attention.
authors.affiliation: PRIMUS Group, Centre de recherche clinique Etienne-Le Bel, CHUS, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada.
authors.forename: Shabnam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asghari
authors.forename: Josiane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Courteau
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Drouin
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Grégoire
authors.forename: André C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Carpentier
authors.forename: Mariane
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pâquet
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vanasse
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011792:Quebec; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin