Defining an evidence-based cutpoint for medication adherence in heart failure

Impact of Medicare Part D on Racial Disparities in Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications Among the Elderly

Medicare Part D improved medication adherence among the elderly, but to date, its effect on disparities in adherence remains unknown. We estimated Part D impact on racial/ethnic disparities in adherence to cardiovascular medications among seniors, using pooled data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2002-2010) on 14,221 Medicare recipients (65+ years) and 3,456 near-elderly controls (60-64 years). Study sample included White, Black, or Hispanic respondents who used at least one cardiovascular medication. Twelve-month adherence was measured as having an overall proportion of days covered ≥80%. Adherence disparities were defined according to the Institute of Medicine framework. Using difference-in-differences logistic regression, we found Part D to be associated with a 16-percentage-point decrease in the White-Hispanic disparity in overall adherence among seniors, net of the change among controls. Black-White disparities worsened only among men, by 21 percentage points. Increasing access and improving quality of medication use among disadvantaged seniors should remain a policy priority.

Comprehensive therapeutic approach for patients with heart failure and comorbidity

The prevalence of heart failure increases with age and is accompanied by other diseases, which are encompassed within a «cardiometabolic phenotype». Their interrelation changes the evolution and treatment that each disease would have in isolation. Patients with heart failure and comorbidity are frail and complex. They require a comprehensive assessment (not just biomedical), which includes functional, cognitive, affective and psychosocial aspects. The overall treatment, which is not covered in the clinical practice guidelines, should adapt to each and every one of the comorbidities. Polypharmacy should be avoided as much as possible, due to its interactions and reduced adherence. Treatment needs to be optimised and adapted to the evolutionary phase of the disease and the specific needs of each patient. The complexity of the care process for patients with heart failure and comorbidities requires the coordination of healthcare providers and support from family and others involved in the patient's care.

Evidence-Based Practice in the United States: Challenges, Progress, and Future Directions

Scientific literature demonstrates that advances in evidence-based nursing have improved systems of care and women's health outcomes. Experts agree that nurses worldwide can play a key role in building such evidence and working with interdisciplinary health care teams and systems to accelerate its implementation.

Using machine learning to examine medication adherence thresholds and risk of hospitalization

BACKGROUND

Quality improvement efforts are frequently tied to patients achieving ≥80% medication adherence. However, there is little empirical evidence that this threshold optimally predicts important health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To apply machine learning to examine how adherence to oral hypoglycemic medications is associated with avoidance of hospitalizations, and to identify adherence thresholds for optimal discrimination of hospitalization risk.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of 33,130 non-dual-eligible Medicaid enrollees with type 2 diabetes. We randomly selected 90% of the cohort (training sample) to develop the prediction algorithm and used the remaining (testing sample) for validation. We applied random survival forests to identify predictors for hospitalization and fit survival trees to empirically derive adherence thresholds that best discriminate hospitalization risk, using the proportion of days covered (PDC).

OUTCOMES

Time to first all-cause and diabetes-related hospitalization.

RESULTS

The training and testing samples had similar characteristics (mean age, 48 y; 67% female; mean PDC=0.65). We identified 8 important predictors of all-cause hospitalizations (rank in order): prior hospitalizations/emergency department visit, number of prescriptions, diabetes complications, insulin use, PDC, number of prescribers, Elixhauser index, and eligibility category. The adherence thresholds most discriminating for risk of all-cause hospitalization varied from 46% to 94% according to patient health and medication complexity. PDC was not predictive of hospitalizations in the healthiest or most complex patient subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence thresholds most discriminating of hospitalization risk were not uniformly 80%. Machine-learning approaches may be valuable to identify appropriate patient-specific adherence thresholds for measuring quality of care and targeting nonadherent patients for intervention.

Predictors of medication nonadherence differ among black and white patients with heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a global public health problem, and outcomes remain poor, especially among ethnic minority populations. Medication adherence can improve heart failure outcomes but is notoriously low. The purpose of this secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort comparison study of adults with heart failure was to explore differences in predictors of medication nonadherence by racial group (Black vs. White) in 212 adults with heart failure. Adaptive modeling analytic methods were used to model HF patient medication nonadherence separately for Black (31.7%) and White (68.3%) participants in order to investigate differences between these two racial groups. Of the 63 Black participants, 33.3% had low medication adherence, compared to 27.5% of the 149 White participants. Among Blacks, 16 risk factors were related to adherence in bivariate analyses; four of these (more comorbidities, lower serum sodium, higher systolic blood pressure, and use of fewer activities compensating for forgetfulness) jointly predicted nonadherence. In the multiple risk factor model, the number of risk factors in Black patients ranged from 0 to 4, and 76.2% had at least one risk factor. The estimated odds ratio for medication nonadherence was increased 9.34 times with each additional risk factor. Among White participants, five risk factors were related to adherence in bivariate analyses; one of these (older age) explained the individual effects of the other four. Because Blacks with HF have different and more risk factors than Whites for low medication adherence, interventions are needed that address unique risk factors among Black patients with HF.

Improving care for patients with acute heart failure: before, during and after hospitalization

Acute heart failure (AHF) is a common and serious condition that contributes to about 5% of all emergency hospital admissions in Europe and the USA. Here, we present the recommendations from structured discussions among an author group of AHF experts in 2013. The epidemiology of AHF and current practices in diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care for patients with AHF in Europe and the USA are examined. Available evidence indicates variation in the quality of care across hospitals and regions. Challenges include the need for rapid diagnosis and treatment, the heterogeneity of precipitating factors, and the typical repeated episodes of decompensation requiring admission to hospital for stabilization. In hospital, care should involve input from an expert in AHF and auditing to ensure that guidelines and protocols for treatment are implemented for all patients. A smooth transition to follow-up care is vital. Patient education programmes could have a dramatic effect on improving outcomes. Information technology should allow, where appropriate, patient telemonitoring and sharing of medical records. Where needed, access to end-of-life care and support for all patients, families, and caregivers should form part of a high-quality service. Eight evidence-based consensus policy recommendations are identified by the author group: optimize patient care transitions, improve patient education and support, provide equity of care for all patients, appoint experts to lead AHF care across disciplines, stimulate research into new therapies, develop and implement better measures of care quality, improve end-of-life care, and promote heart failure prevention.

Interventions aimed at improving performance on medication adherence metrics

BACKGROUND

medication adherence is one determining factor of treatment success. Poor medication adherence mitigates optimum clinical benefits and increases total health care costs. Current evidence suggests that for population-based adherence interventions to be effective, a multidisciplinary, multifactorial approach that can be tailored for each individual should be adopted. In the United States, national organizations such as the National Committee for Quality Assurance and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services include medication adherence as a metric of health care system performance Aim of the

COMMENTARY

This article provides an overview of efforts at Kaiser Permanente Colorado to impact medication adherence-related metrics. Described interventions are supported by electronic data gathering processes with an emphasis on the role of pharmacists.

Cardiovascular medication utilization and adherence among heart failure patients in rural and urban areas: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Rural residence is a negative prognostic factor for heart failure (HF). The objective was to explore rural and urban differences in the utilization, adherence, and persistence with medications, and mortality among incident HF patients.

METHODS

Using administrative databases from Alberta (Canada), subjects > 65 years old with a first hospitalization for HF between 1999 and 2008 who survived ≥ 90 days after discharge were identified. Pharmacy claims for renin-angiotensin system (RAS) agents, β-blockers (BBs), digoxin, or spironolactone were identified. The association between rural and urban residence and medication utilization, adherence (optimal adherence defined as ≥ 80% adherence over 1 year), persistence, and 1-year mortality was assessed.

RESULTS

The cohort included 10,430 patients, with a mean age of 80.2 (SD, 7.7) years, 47% were male, and 25% were rural residents. Rural residents were less likely to receive RAS agents (74% vs 79%, adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.69-0.89) or BBs (44% vs 54%; aOR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73-0.93) than urban residents, but had similar use of other medications. Although < 69% of patients who received RAS agents and 53% who received BBs had optimal adherence, few differences in adherence or persistence were detected among patients in rural vs urban areas. The 1-year mortality rate was significantly lower for patients who demonstrated optimal adherence to RAS agents or BBs (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.94) with no significant differences in the first 6 months between patients residing in rural vs urban areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Rural residents with HF were less likely to receive RAS agents or BBs, but few differences in adherence were noted compared with their urban counterparts. Suboptimal adherence with evidence-based HF therapy was associated with increased risk of mortality.

Randomized controlled feasibility trial of two telemedicine medication reminder systems for older adults with heart failure

We conducted a feasibility study of a telehealth intervention (an electronic pill box) and an m-health intervention (an app on a smartphone) for improving medication adherence in older adults with heart failure. A secondary aim was to compare patient acceptance of the devices. The participants were 60 adults with HF (65% male). Their average age was 69 years and 83% were Caucasian. Patients were randomized using a 2 × 2 design to one of four groups: pillbox silent, pillbox reminding, smartphone silent, smartphone reminding. We examined adherence to 4 medications over 28 days. The overall adherence rate was 78% (SD 35). People with the telehealth device adhered 80% of the time and people with the smartphone adhered 76% of the time. Those who received reminders adhered 79% of the time, and those with passive medication reminder devices adhered 78% of the time, i.e. reminding did not improve adherence. Patients preferred the m-health approach. Future interventions may need to address other contributors to poor adherence such as motivation.

Testing a novel pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure and cognitive impairment

OBJECTIVES

(a) To evaluate efficacy of a pictorial medication sheet to improve adherence in veterans with heart failure (HF) and cognitive impairment (CI); (b) to describe acceptance of the intervention.

BACKGROUND

CI is prevalent in HF and is associated with worsened medication adherence. The Veteran's Administration has developed a medication image library; however, use of images to improve adherence has not been tested.

METHODS

Thirty-six veterans with HF and CI were enrolled and provided pictorial medication sheets and an optional alarmed pillbox. Adherence pre-and post-intervention was determined by 30-day pill counts. Acceptance was assessed from interviews.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven veterans (75%) completed the study. Overall medication adherence was poor, however there was significant improvement from pre-intervention (M = 79.74, SD = ±16.98) to post-intervention (M = 84.74, SD = ±10.00) adherence (t(26) = 2.16, p < .05, Cohen's d = .42).

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that medication images improve adherence with complex medication regimens. The intervention was well received by patients.

Treatment for chronic heart failure in the elderly: current practice and problems

Treatment for chronic heart failure (CHF) is strongly focused on evidence-based medicine. However, large trials are often far away from the "real world" of geriatric patients and their messages are poorly transferable to the clinical management of CHF elderly patients. Precipitating factors and especially non-cardiac comorbidity may decompensate CHF in the elderly. More importantly, drugs of first choice, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and β-blockers, are still underused and effective drugs on diastolic dysfunction are not available. Poor adherence to therapy, especially for cognitive and depression disorders, worsens the management. Electrical therapy is indicated, but attention to the older age groups with reduced life expectancy has to be paid. Physical exercise, stem cells, gene delivery, and new devices are encouraging, but definitive results are still not available. Palliative care plays a key role to the end-stage of the disease. Follow-up of CHF elderly patient is very important but tele-medicine is the future. Finally, self-care management, caregiver training, and multidimensional team represent the critical point of the treatment for CHF elderly patients.

Medication adherence, depressive symptoms, and cardiac event-free survival in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Medication nonadherence and depressive symptoms predict hospitalization and death in patients with heart failure (HF). Depressed patients have lower medication adherence than nondepressed patients. However, the predictive power of the combination of medication adherence and depressive symptoms for hospitalization and death has not been investigated in patients with HF.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the combined influence of medication adherence and depressive symptoms for prediction of cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We monitored medication adherence in 216 HF patients who completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at baseline. Medication adherence was measured objectively with the use of the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Patients were followed for up to 3.5 years to collect data on cardiac events. Survival analyses were used to compare cardiac event-free survival among groups. The risk of experiencing a cardiac event for patients with medication nonadherence and depressive symptoms was 5 times higher than those who were medication adherent without depressive symptoms. The risk of experiencing a cardiac event for patients with only 1 risk factor was 1.2-1.3 times that of those with neither risk factor.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication nonadherence and depressive symptoms had a negative synergistic effect on cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF.

Adherence to raloxifene therapy: assessment methods and relationship with efficacy

Response to therapy depends on patient compliance but accurate assessment is difficult and adequate levels of adherence are uncertain. Adherence to raloxifene treatment may be assessed more accurately by electronic monitoring than by counting returned tablets. The level of adherence is positively associated with the degree of bone response.

INTRODUCTION

Adherence to study medication is usually estimated by counting returned tablets. This method relies on subjects' honesty and may be inaccurate. We aimed to assess adherence more accurately, and examine its effect on measures of bone response, by using electronic monitoring.

METHODS

Osteopenic women, ages 50 to 80, were prescribed daily raloxifene for 2 years. Electronic bottle caps (Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS), Aardex) recorded the date and time on opening. Returned tablets were also counted. We measured bone mineral density (BMD) in duplicate at the spine and hip at baseline and 2 years. We also measured urinary N-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (NTX) at baseline, 1 and 2 years. We calculated the percentage changes in BMD and NTX from mean baseline to mean follow up measurements. Percentage adherence was assessed by both methods for 71 subjects that completed the study.

RESULTS

The two methods correlated significantly (p <0.001, Spearman's rho = 0.73) but the tablet count showed a higher median adherence than the MEMS caps (95.7 vs. 85.0%, p <0.001), with greater divergence at lower adherence levels. MEMS adherence in 65 subjects with complete data correlated with NTX response (p <0.01, rho = -0.33) but with BMD response only at the femoral neck. However, adherence in the lowest quartile was associated with poorer BMD response at all sites (p <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Tablet counts may give similar results overall but conceal substantial individual non-adherence. Monitoring caps may assess adherence more accurately than tablet counts and would be the preferred method in clinical trials. The degree of adherence is associated with both bone turnover and BMD responses to anti-resorptive therapy.

A trial of family partnership and education interventions in heart failure

BACKGROUND

Lowering dietary sodium and adhering to medication regimens are difficult for persons with heart failure (HF). Because these behaviors often occur within the family context, this study evaluated the effects of family education and partnership interventions on dietary sodium (Na) intake and medication adherence (MA).

METHODS AND RESULTS

HF patient and family member (FM) dyads (n = 117) were randomized to: usual care (UC), patient-FM education (PFE), or family partnership intervention (FPI). Dietary Na (3-day food record), urinary Na (24-hour urine), and MA (Medication Events Monitoring System) were measured at baseline (BL) before randomization, and at 4 and 8 months. FPI and PFE reduced urinary Na at 4 months, and FPI differed from UC at 8 months (P = .016). Dietary Na decreased from BL to 4 months, with both PFE (P = .04) and FPI (P = .018) lower than UC. The proportion of subjects adherent to Na intake (≤2,500 mg/d) was higher at 8 months in PFE and FPI than in UC (χ(2)(2) = 7.076; P = .029). MA did not differ among groups across time. Both FPI and PFE groups increased HF knowledge immediately after intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary Na intake, but not MA, was improved by PFE and FPI compared with UC. The UC group was less likely to be adherent with dietary Na. Greater efforts to study and incorporate family-focused education and support interventions into HF care are warranted.

The role of depression in medication adherence among heart failure patients

The purpose of the study was to explore the association between depression and medication adherence in heart failure (HF) patients. Studies have shown that people with depression are likely to be nonadherent to their prescribed medication treatment. But other studies suggest that nonadherence may be overestimated by people with depression. A total of 244 adults with Stage C HF completed the study. Self-reported medication adherence was obtained using the Basel Assessment of Adherence Scale (BAAS); objective data on medication adherence were collected using the electronic Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Depression was measured via self-report with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). There was a significant difference between depressed and nondepressed participants in self-reported medication nonadherence (p = .008), but not in objectively measured medication nonadherence (p = .72). The depressed sample was 2.3 times more likely to self-report poor medication adherence than those who were nondepressed (p = .006).

Nutrition intervention to decrease symptoms in patients with advanced heart failure

For a majority of patients with advanced heart failure, there is a need for complementary, non-pharmacologic interventions that could be easily implemented by health care providers to provide palliative care. Three major pathologic pathways underlying heart failure symptoms have been identified: fluid overload, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Prior research has demonstrated that three nutrients-sodium, omega-3 fatty acids, and lycopene-can alter these pathologic pathways. Therefore, the purposes of this study are to test the effects of a 6-month nutrition intervention of dietary sodium reduction combined with supplementation of lycopene and omega-3 fatty acids on heart failure symptoms, health-related quality of life, and time to heart failure rehospitalization or all-cause death. The aims of this double blind-placebo controlled study are (1) to determine the effects of a 6-month nutrition intervention on symptom burden (edema, shortness of air, and fatigue) and health-related quality of life at 3 and 6 months, and time to heart failure rehospitalization or all-cause death over 12 months from baseline; (2) compare dietary sodium intake, inflammation, and markers of oxidative stress between the nutrition intervention group and a placebo group at 3 and 6 months; and (3) compare body weight, serum lycopene, and erythrocyte omega-3 index between the nutrition intervention group and a placebo group at 3 and 6 months. A total of 175 patients with advanced heart failure will be randomized to either the nutrition intervention or placebo group.

Electronically monitored medication adherence predicts hospitalization in heart failure patients

BACKGROUND

Hospitalization contributes enormously to health care costs associated with heart failure. Many investigators have attempted to predict hospitalization in these patients. None of these models has been highly effective in prediction, suggesting that important risk factors remain unidentified.

PURPOSE

To assess prospectively collected medication adherence, objectively measured by the Medication Event Monitoring System, as a predictor of hospitalization in heart failure patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used recently developed adaptive modeling methods to describe patterns of medication adherence in a sample of heart failure patients, and tested the hypothesis that poor medication adherence as determined by adaptive methods was a significant predictor of hospitalization within 6 months.

RESULTS

Medication adherence was the best predictor of hospitalization. Besides two dimensions of poor adherence (adherence pattern type and low percentage of prescribed doses taken), four other single factors predicted hospitalization: low hemoglobin, depressed ejection fraction, New York Heart Association class IV, and 12 or more medications taken daily. Seven interactions increased the predictive capability of the model: 1) pattern of poor adherence type and lower score on the Letter-Number Sequencing test, a measure of short-term memory; 2) higher number of comorbid conditions and higher number of daily medications; 3) higher blood urea nitrogen and lower percentage of prescribed doses taken; 4) lower hemoglobin and much worse perceived health compared to last year; 5) older age and lower score on the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status; 6) higher body mass index and lower hemoglobin; and 7) lower ejection fraction and higher fatigue. Patients with none of these seven interactions had a hospitalization rate of 9.7%. For those with five of these interaction risk factors, 100% were hospitalized. The C-index (the area under the receiver-operating characteristics [ROC] curve) for the model based on the seven interactions was 0.83, indicating excellent discrimination.

CONCLUSION

Medication adherence adds important new information to the list of variables previously shown to predict hospitalization in adults with heart failure.

Frequency of urinary incontinence in people with chronic heart failure

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to examine the frequency and severity of urinary incontinence in people with heart failure (HF). Secondary aims were to determine the differences in known risk factors for those who were continent and incontinent, to investigate the correlates of urinary incontinence in people with HF, and to examine the relationship between urinary incontinence with medication adherence, in particular, diuretics, and quality of life.

BACKGROUND

Urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting older adults. However, the frequency of incontinence in people with HF remains largely unknown.

METHODS

This was a descriptive study. A convenience sample of 181 people with HF were surveyed to determine frequency, severity and presence of risk factors of urinary incontinence and dosages of prescribed HF medications. Instruments included the Revised Urinary Incontinence Scale, Medication Adherence Report Scale and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire Short Form. Regression analyses were used to examine relationships between variables and presence of urinary incontinence.

RESULTS

Eighty-nine people responded (66% male, mean age 67 years), 44 (49%) self-reporting urinary incontinence. Of these, 30 (34%) respondents rated their incontinence severity as slight or moderate. More incontinent respondents took furosemide doses greater than 20 mg daily (P = 0.046) and low doses of beta-blockers compared with continent respondents (P = 0.002). Taking low doses of beta-blockers explained 23% of variance for urinary incontinence (r(2) = 0.23, P = 0.015). Incontinent respondents reported altering or missing a diuretic dose (P < 0.02) compared with those who were continent.

CONCLUSIONS

Frequency of urinary incontinence in this group of people with HF appears high. It appears that screening for urinary incontinence may be important as part of routine care in HF management programmes. In addition, awareness of dosages of furosemide and beta-blockers and in particular, adherence to diuretics also should be monitored. Prospective studies investigating these issues and the effect of targeted interventions are required.

Is adherence to weight monitoring or weight-based diuretic self-adjustment associated with fewer heart failure-related emergency department visits or hospitalizations?

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) self-care interventions can improve outcomes, but less than optimal adherence may limit their effectiveness. We evaluated if adherence to weight monitoring and diuretic self-adjustment was associated with HF-related emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed a case-control analysis nested in a HF self-care randomized trial. Participants received HF self-care training, including weight monitoring and diuretic self-adjustment, which they were to record in a diary. We defined case time periods as HF-related ED visits or hospitalizations in the 7 preceding days; control time periods were defined as 7-day periods free of ED visits and hospitalizations. We used logistic regression to compare weight monitoring and diuretic self-adjustment adherence in case and control time periods, adjusted for demographic and clinical covariates. Among 303 participants, we identified 81 HF-related ED visits or hospitalizations (cases) in 54 patients over 1 year of follow-up. Weight monitoring adherence (odds ratio [OR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.76) and diuretic self-adjustment adherence (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.19-0.98) were both associated with lower adjusted odds of HF-related ED visits or hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to weight monitoring and diuretic self-adjustment was associated with lower odds of HF-related ED visits or hospitalizations. Adherence to these activities may reduce HF-related morbidity.

Self-reported versus 'true' adherence in heart failure patients: a study using the Medication Event Monitoring System

BACKGROUND

Adherence to (non)pharmacological treatment is important in heart failure (HF) patients, since it leads to better clinical outcome. Although self-reported and objectively measured medication adherence in HF patients have been compared in previous studies, none of these studies have used an evidence-based cutpoint to differentiate between adherence and non-adherence.

METHODS

In 37 HF patients (mean age 68 ± 10 years, 27 % female, 40 % NYHA functional class III-IV), medication (ACEi/ARB) adherence was objectively measured using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Adherence to and importance of taking medication was also assessed by self-report using the Revised HF Compliance Questionnaire.

RESULTS

All patients reported that adherence was (highly) important to them and that they 'always' took their medication as prescribed (i.e. 100 % adherence). However, when measured by the MEMS, only 76 % of all patients were adherent. Non-adherent patients more often had a complex medication regimen (78 % vs. 21 %, P < .01), more often depressive symptoms (75 % vs. 29 %, P = .04) and a shorter history of HF (8 vs. 41 months, P = .04), compared with adherent patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication adherence measured by the MEMS was remarkably lower than self-reported adherence. Given the evidence of its importance, further efforts are needed to improve adherence to the pharmacological regimen in HF patients.

A multifaceted prospective memory intervention to improve medication adherence: design of a randomized control trial

Adherence to prescribed antihypertensive agents is critical because control of elevated blood pressure is the single most important way to prevent stroke and other end organ damage. Unfortunately, nonadherence remains a significant problem. Previous interventions designed to improve adherence have demonstrated only small benefits of strategies that target single facets such as understanding medication directions. The intervention described here is informed by prospective memory theory and performance of older adults in laboratory-based paradigms and uses a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to improve adherence. It incorporates multiple strategies designed to support key components of prospective remembering involved in taking medication. The intervention is delivered by nurses in the home with an education control group for comparison. Differences between groups in overall adherence following the intervention and 6 months later will be tested. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels also will be examined between groups and as they relate to adherence. Intra-individual regression is planned to examine change in adherence over time and its predictors. Finally, we will examine the association between executive function/working memory and adherence, predicting that adherence will be related to executive/working memory in the control group but not in the intervention group.

The comorbidity conundrum: a focus on the role of noncardiovascular chronic conditions in the heart failure patient

The rapid aging of the US population combined with improvements in modern medicine has created a new public health concern of comorbidity, a chronic condition that co-exists with a primary illness. Over 141 million Americans suffer from one or more comorbid conditions. In the heart failure (HF) patient, this comorbidity burden is particularly high, with over 40% of patients having five or more chronic conditions. These comorbidities can vary from being a risk factor to a cause of HF progression or even a precipitating factor for decompensation. Comorbidities, particularly the noncardiovascular conditions, have been associated with greater health resource utilization, poor health outcomes, and increased mortality. To minimize the negative impact that these comorbidities have on patient outcomes, appropriate attention should be paid to identifying, prioritizing, and managing each condition; minimizing medication complexity and polypharmacy; and improving overall coordination of care between providers and patients.

Medication adherence, social support, and event-free survival in patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVES

Medication adherence and perceived social support (PSS) are independent predictors of mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). However, the predictive power of the combination of medication adherence and PSS for hospitalization and death has not been investigated in patients with HF. The purpose of the study was to explore the combined influence of medication adherence and PSS for prediction of cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF.

METHOD

A total of 218 HF patients monitored medication adherence for 1-3 months and completed the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MPSSS) at baseline. Medication adherence was measured using a valid and objective measure, the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Patients were followed for up to 3.5 years to collect data about cardiac event-free survival (i.e., cardiac emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and death). To test the association of the combination of medication adherence and PSS with outcomes, the interaction term of medication adherence and PSS was first entered in a Cox regression to predict outcomes. Second, patients were grouped using an evidence-based cutpoint of 88% for medication adherence from the MEMS data and a median score 71 of the MPSSS. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare cardiac event-free survival among groups.

RESULT

Medication adherence and PSS were independent predictors of cardiac event-free survival (p = .006 and .021, respectively). Patients with medication nonadherence and lower PSS had a 3.5 times higher risk of cardiac events than those who were adherent and had higher PSS.

CONCLUSION

Medication adherence mediated the relationship between PSS and cardiac event-free survival in this sample. Moreover, medication adherence and social support independently, and in combination, predicted cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF. Interventions to improve clinical outcomes should address medication adherence and social support.

Effective strategies to improve the management of heart failure

The purpose of this article is to provide resources for primary care physicians to manage heart failure as a chronic disease. We review evidence-based interventions that can be adopted in primary care practices to improve adherence to available guidelines for medication use, promotion of self-care behaviors, transitions of care in acute decompensated heart failure, and end of life care. This information will be valuable to primary care providers who care for patients with heart failure in all care settings but is focused on the management of heart failure in the outpatient setting.

Characteristics of patients with primary non-adherence to medications for hypertension, diabetes, and lipid disorders

BACKGROUND

Information comparing characteristics of patients who do and do not pick up their prescriptions is sparse, in part because adherence measured using pharmacy claims databases does not include information on patients who never pick up their first prescription, that is, patients with primary non-adherence. Electronic health record medication order entry enhances the potential to identify patients with primary non-adherence, and in organizations with medication order entry and pharmacy information systems, orders can be linked to dispensings to identify primarily non-adherent patients.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to use database information from an integrated system to compare patient, prescriber, and payment characteristics of patients with primary non-adherence and patients with ongoing dispensings of newly initiated medications for hypertension, diabetes, and/or hyperlipidemia.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective observational cohort study. PARTICIPANTS (OR PATIENTS OR SUBJECTS): Participants of this study include patients with a newly initiated order for an antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and/or antihyperlipidemic within an 18-month period.

MAIN MEASURES

Proportion of patients with primary non-adherence overall and by therapeutic class subgroup. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was used to investigate characteristics associated with primary non-adherence relative to ongoing dispensings.

KEY RESULTS

The proportion of primarily non-adherent patients varied by therapeutic class, including 7% of patients ordered an antihypertensive, 11% ordered an antidiabetic, 13% ordered an antihyperlipidemic, and 5% ordered medications from more than one of these therapeutic classes within the study period. Characteristics of patients with primary non-adherence varied across therapeutic classes, but these characteristics had poor ability to explain or predict primary non-adherence (models c-statistics = 0.61-0.63).

CONCLUSIONS

Primary non-adherence varies by therapeutic class. Healthcare delivery systems should pursue linking medication orders with dispensings to identify primarily non-adherent patients. We encourage conduct of research to determine interventions successful at decreasing primary non-adherence, as characteristics available from databases provide little assistance in predicting primary non-adherence.

Medication adherence mediates the relationship between marital status and cardiac event-free survival in patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVE

Prognosis is worse in unmarried patients compared with married patients with heart failure (HF). The reasons for differences in outcomes are unclear, but variations in medication adherence may play a role, because medication adherence is essential to achieving better outcomes. The study objective was to determine whether medication adherence mediated the relationship between marital status and cardiac event-free survival in patients with HF.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and psychosocial data were collected by questionnaires and medical record review for 136 patients with HF (aged 61 ± 11 years, 70% were male, 60% were in New York Heart Association class III/IV). Medication adherence was monitored objectively for 3 months using the Medication Event Monitoring System. Cardiac event-free survival data were obtained by patient/family interview, hospital database, and death certificate review. A series of regression and Cox survival analyses were performed to determine whether medication adherence mediated the relationship between marital status and event-free survival.

RESULTS

Cardiac event-free survival was worse in unmarried patients than in married patients. Unmarried patients were more likely to be nonadherent and 2 times more likely to experience an event than married patients (P = .017). Marital status was not a significant predictor of event-free survival after entering medication adherence in the model, demonstrating a mediation effect of adherence on the relationship of marital status to survival.

CONCLUSION

Medication adherence mediated the relationship between marital status and event-free survival. It is important to design interventions to increase medication adherence that take into account subgroups, such as unmarried patients, who are at higher risk for nonadherence.

Effect of a medication-taking behavior feedback theory-based intervention on outcomes in patients with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Medication nonadherence contributes to hospitalization and mortality, yet there have been few interventions tested that improve adherence and reduce hospitalization and mortality in heart failure (HF). Our objective was to determine whether an education intervention improved medication adherence and cardiac event-free survival.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 82 HF patients. The intervention was based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and included feedback of medication-taking behavior using the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS). Patients were assigned to one of three groups: 1) theory-based education plus MEMS feedback; 2) theory-based education only; or 3) usual care (control). Cardiac events were collected for 9 months. Patients in both intervention groups were more adherent over follow-up compared with the control group. In Cox regression, patients in either intervention group had a longer event-free survival compared with those in the control group before and after controlling age, marital status, financial status, ejection fraction, New York Heart Association functional class, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use, and presence or absence of a significant other during the intervention (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Use of an intervention based on the TPB improves medication adherence and outcomes in patients with HF and therefore offers promise as a clinically applicable intervention to help patients with HF to adhere to their prescribed regimen.

Investigating a TELEmedicine solution to improve MEDication adherence in chronic Heart Failure (TELEMED-HF): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background

Frequent rehospitalisations and poorer survival chances in heart failure (HF) patients may partly be explained by poor medication adherence. There are multiple medication-related reasons for suboptimal adherence, but psychological reasons may also be important. A novel TELEmonitoring device may improve MEDication adherence in HF patients (TELEMED-HF). TELEMED-HF is a randomized, controlled clinical intervention trial designed to examine (1) the efficacy and cost-efficiency of an electronic medication adherence support system in improving and monitoring HF patients' medication adherence; (2) the effect of medication adherence on hospitalizations and health care consumption; as well as on (3) clinical characteristics, and Quality of Life (QoL); and (4) clinical, sociodemographic, and psychological determinants of medication adherence.

Methods/Design

Consecutive patients with chronic, systolic HF presenting to the outpatient clinic of the TweeSteden Hospital, The Netherlands, will be approached for study participation and randomly assigned (1:1) following blocked randomization procedures to the intervention (n = 200) or usual care arm (n = 200). Patients in the intervention arm use the medication support device for six months in addition to usual care. Post-intervention, patients return to usual care only and all patients participate in four follow-up occasions over 12 months. Primary endpoints comprise objective and subjective medication adherence, healthcare consumption, number of hospitalizations, and cost-effectiveness. Secondary endpoints include disease severity, physical functioning, and QoL.

Discussion

The TELEMED-HF study will provide us a comprehensive understanding of medication adherence in HF patients, and will show whether telemonitoring is effective and cost-efficient in improving adherence and preventing hospitalization in HF patients.

Trial registration number

NCT01347528.

A pharmacoepidemiologic analysis of the impact of calendar packaging on adherence to self-administered medications for long-term use

BACKGROUND

Calendar blister packaging (CBP) that incorporates a day or date feature is a simple medication packaging technology that is designed to improve medication adherence and persistence.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to assess the effect of a new calendar packaging technology on prescription refill adherence and persistence for daily, self-administered, long-term medication use.

METHODS

Anonymized pharmacy dispensing data from a large US mass merchandiser were analyzed. This retrospective cohort study included people aged 18 to 75 years who filled prescriptions for oral lisinopril or enalapril (control group) at a study pharmacy during 1 year before and after the switch of lisinopril packaging from vials to CBP. Cohorts were stratified into new and prevalent medication users. We used linear and logistic regression modeling and propensity score matching to assess the impact of CBP on refill adherence, using medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC), and persistence using length of therapy (LOT).

RESULTS

Our sample comprised 76,321 new users and 249,040 prevalent users. Across all user, medication, and packaging groups, the mean unadjusted LOT decreased in the follow-up year, possibly due to economic recession. The LOT decline was attenuated in the CBP cohort. After adjustment for covariates, CBP use in new and prevalent medication users was associated with significantly higher LOT and PDC but not MPR. The odds of achieving PDC ≥80% were higher by 15% in new users (odds ratio [OR] = 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09-1.21) and 12% in prevalent users (OR = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.09-1.15) who switched to CBP, compared with continued vial use.

CONCLUSIONS

CBP of medication prescribed for daily, self-administered, long-term use was associated with modest improvement in prescription refill adherence and persistence. An adherence strategy of even small effect size that is broadly implemented on a population level could significantly leverage therapeutic effect and provide substantial cumulative public health benefit. Clinical benefit, or harm, associated with use of CBP should be investigated. Usability assessments of CBP in patient subgroups may provide insight about differential impact on adherence and persistence.

Linkages between anxiety and outcomes in heart failure

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the relationship between anxiety and event-free survival (ie, composite endpoint of death, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations) for patients with heart failure (HF), and examined whether behavioral and physiologic mechanisms mediate any association between anxiety and outcomes.

METHODS

In this longitudinal study, patients with HF completed the anxiety subscale of the Brief Symptom Inventory, and heart-rate variability and plasma norepinephrine levels were measured. Dietary adherence and medication adherence were measured according to 24-hour urine sodium level and the Medication Event Monitoring System, respectively. Patients were followed at least 1 year for event-free survival.

RESULTS

In total, 147 patients were enrolled. Patients with high anxiety had a shorter (hazard ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.3; P = .03) period of event-free survival than patients with lower anxiety. Anxiety independently predicted adherence to medication (P = .008), which in turn predicted event-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.3; P = .008). The effect of anxiety (P = .17) on event-free survival was less significant when the regression model included both anxiety and adherence to medication than when the model only included anxiety (P = .03), indicating that adherence to medication mediated the relationship between anxiety and event-free survival.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show that nonadherence to medication links anxiety and event-free survival for patients with HF. Interventions that reduce anxiety and improve adherence may benefit outcomes.

Importance of including early nonadherence in estimations of medication adherence

BACKGROUND

Many medication adherence metrics are based on refill rates determined from pharmacy claims databases. However, these methods do not incorporate assessment of nonadherence to new prescriptions when those prescriptions are never dispensed (primary nonadherence), or dispensed only once (early nonpersistence). As a result, published studies may overestimate adherence, but the extent of overestimation posed by not considering patients with primary nonadherence and early nonpersistence has not been assessed.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the magnitude of misestimation in adherence estimates that results from not including patients with primary nonadherence and early nonpersistence.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 15,417 patients enrolled in an integrated health care delivery system who were newly prescribed an antihypertensive, antidiabetic, or antihyperlipidemic medication. We linked prescription orders to medication dispensings. Based on dispensing and refill rates, we stratified patients into primary nonadherent, early nonpersistent, and ongoing dispensings groups. Adherence was estimated using the proportion of days covered (PDC). Standardized observation periods were applied across all groups.

RESULTS

A total of 1142 (7.4%) patients were primarily nonadherent, 3356 (21.8%) demonstrated early nonpersistence, and 10,919 (70.8%) patients received ongoing dispensings, with a mean PDC of 84%. Not including primarily nonadherent and early nonpersistent patients in calculations resulted in adherence estimates overestimated by 9-18%.

CONCLUSIONS

When medication adherence is estimated from pharmacy claims databases, adherence estimates are substantially inflated because primarily nonadherent and early nonpersistent patients are not included in the estimations. An implication of this incorrect estimation is potential distortion of the true relationship between medication adherence and clinical outcomes.

Utility of the Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic to predict medication adherence in patients diagnosed with heart failure

Medication non-adherence is common and a primary reason for poor medical outcomes among individuals with heart failure (HF). This study's aims were to determine whether depression, hostility, and the personality-based Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD) Medication Abuse scale were associated with medication adherence (e.g., beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, statins) beyond contributions of demographic, medical, and psychosocial variables in an ethnically-diverse sample of 105 men and women diagnosed with HF. In hierarchical regression, greater MBMD Medication Abuse scale scores were associated with poorer adherence above and beyond both depression (β = .236, t[102] = 2.113, p = .037) and hostility (β = .244, t[102] = 2.506, p = .014). The Medication Abuse scale also completely mediated the relationship between adherence and depression. These findings suggest that personality measures such as the MBMD and hostility scales might be utilized in future studies investigating predictors of adherence and also used clinically to predict medication adherence among HF patients.

Does packaging with a calendar feature improve adherence to self-administered medication for long-term use? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

The therapeutic benefit of self-administered medications for long-term use is limited by an average 50% nonadherence rate. Patient forgetfulness is a common factor in unintentional nonadherence. Unit-of-use packaging that incorporates a simple day-and-date feature (calendar packaging) is designed to improve adherence by prompting patients to maintain the prescribed dosing schedule.

OBJECTIVE

To review systematically, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, randomized controlled trial evidence of the adherence benefits and harms of calendar blister packaging (CBP) and calendar pill organizers (CPO) for self-administered, long-term medication use.

METHODS

Data sources included the MEDLINE and Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases from their inception to September 2010 and communication with researchers in the field. Key search terms included blister-calendar pack, blister pack, drug packaging, medication adherence, medication compliance, medication compliance devices, medication containers, medication organizers, multicompartment compliance aid, persistence, pill-box organizers, prescription refill, randomized controlled trials, and refill compliance. Selected studies had an English-language title; a randomized controlled design; medication packaged in CBP or CPO; a requirement of solid, oral medication self-administered daily for longer than 1 month in community-dwelling adults; and at least 1 quantitative outcome measure of adherence. Two reviewers extracted data independently on study design, sample size, type of intervention and control, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Ten trials with a total of 1045 subjects met the inclusion criteria, and 9 also examined clinical outcomes (seizures, blood pressure, psychiatric symptoms) or health care resource utilization. Substantial heterogeneity among trials precluded meta-analysis. In 3 studies, calendar packaging was part of a multicomponent adherence intervention. Six of 10 trials reported higher adherence, but it was associated with clinically significant improvement in only 1 study: 50% decreased seizure frequency with a CPO-based, multicomponent intervention. No study reported sufficient information to examine conclusively potential harms related to calendar packaging.

LIMITATIONS

All trials had significant methodological limitations, such as inadequate randomization or blinding, or reported insufficient information regarding enrolled subjects and attrition, which resulted in a moderate-to-high risk of bias and, in 2 studies, unevaluable outcome data. Trials were generally short and sample sizes small, with heterogeneous adherence outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Calendar packaging, especially in combination with education and reminder strategies, may improve medication adherence. Methodological limitations preclude definitive conclusions about the effect size of adherence and clinical benefits or harms associated with CBP and CPO. High-quality trials of adequate size and duration are needed to assess the clinical effectiveness of such interventions.

Improving the validity of determining medication adherence from electronic health record medications orders

We developed an accurate and valid medication order algorithm to identify from electronic health records the definitive medication order intended for dispensing and applied this process to identify a cohort of patients and to stratify them into one of three medication adherence groups: early non-persistence, primary non-adherence, or ongoing adherence. We identified medication order data from electronic health record tables, obtained the orders, and linked the orders to dispensings. These steps were then used to identify patients newly prescribed antihypertensive, antidiabetic, or antihyperlipidemic medications and to determine the adherence group of each patient. Record review validated each process step, thus increasing the accuracy of group assignment as well as the criteria used to select patients. This work is an important first step to accurately identify study-specific patient adherence cohorts and allow more comprehensive estimates of population medication adherence.

Medication adherence among community-dwelling patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To determine medication use and adherence among community-dwelling patients with heart failure (HF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, with HF were recruited from October 10, 2007, through February 25, 2009. Pharmacy records were obtained for the 6 months after enrollment. Medication adherence was measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC). A PDC of less than 80% was classified as poor adherence. Factors associated with medication adherence were investigated.

RESULTS

Among the 209 study patients with HF, 123 (59%) were male, and the mean ± SD age was 73.7 ± 13.5 years. The median (interquartile range) number of unique medications filled during the 6-month study period was 11 (8-17). Patients with a documented medication allergy were excluded from eligibility for medication use within that medication class. Most patients received conventional HF therapy: 70% (147/209) were treated with β-blockers and 75% (149/200) with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers. Most patients (62%; 127/205) also took statins. After exclusion of patients with missing dosage information, the proportion of those with poor adherence was 19% (27/140), 19% (28/144), and 13% (16/121) for β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins, respectively. Self-reported data indicated that those with poor adherence experienced more cost-related medication issues. For example, those who adhered poorly to statin therapy more frequently reported stopping a prescription because of cost than those with good adherence (46% vs 6%; P < .001), skipping doses to save money (23% vs 3%; P = .03), and not filling a new prescription because of cost (46% vs 6%; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Community-dwelling patients with HF take a large number of medications. Medication adherence was suboptimal in many patients, often because of cost.

An automated medication adherence tool

Misuse of medications is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The pervasiveness of non-adherence to medications is having significant health care implications, including costly and distressing hospitalization. This paper presents a new method for delivering medication instructions that incorporates all aspects of all medications in a regimen into one chronological schedule, rather than using an independent instruction set for each medication as is currently done. It is an automated tool that accepts as input only the name, dose, and frequency of each medication, and generates a chronological schedule that respects all medication constraints and contains the essential directions for use. The potential users of the system are health care environments in which a log of all of a patient's medications, including over-the-counter medications, resides in one place.