Health system barriers and facilitators to medication adherence for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review

Potential global impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in heart failure

AIMS

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are effective across the spectrum of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in heart failure (HF); however, population-wide medication use in eligible patients remains suboptimal. We evaluated the potential implications of optimal global implementation of SGLT-2 inhibitors in HF.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A decision analytical study was performed using the global prevalence of HF from the Global Burden of Disease 2017 report. Exclusion criteria were applied using the NHANES to ascertain an SGLT-2 inhibitor-eligible population, which was mapped onto global LVEF distributions from the REPORT-HF registry. The number needed to treat for 3 years for the composite of worsening HF events and cardiovascular deaths was calculated from estimated event rates in the DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-Reduced, EMPEROR-Preserved, and DELIVER trials and projected onto the eligible population. An estimated 49 329 000 (95% confidence interval [CI] 43 882 000-54 929 000) HF patients would be eligible for SGLT-2 inhibitors across all LVEFs, including 25 651 000 (95% CI 22 818 000-28 563 000) with LVEF ≤40% and 23 678 000 (95% CI 21 063 000-26 366 000) with LVEF >40%. Optimal implementation of SGLT-2 inhibitors would be projected to prevent/postpone 4 512 011 (95% CI 4 013 686-5 024 232) to 5 986 943 (95% CI 5 325 721-6 666 604) total worsening HF events and cardiovascular deaths over 3 years in patients with LVEF <40%. An additional 2 102 606 (95% CI 1 870 394-2 341 301) to 2 557 224 (95% CI 2 274 804-2 847 528) total worsening HF events and cardiovascular deaths would be prevented/postponed in patients with LVEF >40%. Among all eligible HF patients, irrespective of LVEF, 7 069 235 (95% CI 6 288 490-7 871 760) to 8 089 549 (95% CI 7 196 115-9 007 905) total worsening HF events and cardiovascular deaths would be prevented/postponed over this period.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimal implementation of SGLT-2 inhibitors globally in HF is projected to prevent/postpone approximately 7-8 million worsening HF events and cardiovascular deaths over 3 years.

A survey of internists' recommendations for aspirin in older adults and barriers to evidence-based use

Recent trials suggest that aspirin for primary prevention may do more harm than good for some, including adults over 70 years of age. We sought to assess how primary care providers (PCPs) use aspirin for the primary prevention in older patients and to identify barriers to use according to recent guidelines, which recommend against routine use in patients over age 70. We surveyed PCPs about whether they would recommend aspirin in clinical vignettes of a 75-year-old patient with a 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk of 25%. We also queried perceived difficulty following guideline recommendations, as well as perceived barriers and facilitators. We obtained responses from 372 PCPs (47.9% response). In the patient vignette, 45.4% of clinicians recommended aspirin use, which did not vary by whether the patient was using aspirin initially (p = 0.21); 41.7% believed aspirin was beneficial. Perceived barriers to guideline-based aspirin use included concern about patients being upset (41.6%), possible malpractice claims (25.0%), and not having a strategy for discussing aspirin use (24.5%). The estimated adjusted probability of rating the guideline as "hard to follow" was higher in clinicians who believed aspirin was beneficial (29.4% vs. 8.0%; p < 0.001) and who worried the patient would be upset if told to stop aspirin (26.7% vs. 12.5%; p = 0.001). Internists vary considerably in their recommendations for aspirin use for primary prevention in older patients. A high proportion of PCPs continue to believe aspirin is beneficial in this setting. These results can inform de-implementation efforts to optimize evidence-based aspirin use.

Association of Medication Adherence With Health Outcomes in the ISCHEMIA Trial

BACKGROUND

The ISCHEMIA (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches) trial randomized participants with chronic coronary disease (CCD) to guideline-directed medical therapy with or without angiography and revascularization. The study examined the association of nonadherence with health status outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The study sought to compare 12-month health status outcomes of adherent and nonadherent participants with CCD with an a priori hypothesis that nonadherent patients would have better health status if randomized to invasive management.

METHODS

Self-reported medication-taking behavior was assessed at randomization with a modified 4-item Morisky-Green-Levine Adherence Scale, and participants were classified as adherent or nonadherent. Twelve-month health status was assessed with the 7-item Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ-7) summary score (SS), which ranges from 0 to 100 (higher score = better). The association of adherence with outcomes was evaluated using Bayesian proportional odds models, including an interaction by study arm (conservative vs invasive).

RESULTS

Among 4,480 randomized participants, 1,245 (27.8%) were nonadherent at baseline. Nonadherent participants had worse baseline SAQ-7 SS in both conservative (72.9 ± 19.3 vs 75.6 ± 18.4) and invasive (71.0 ± 19.8 vs 74.2 ± 18.7) arms. In adjusted analyses, adherence was associated with higher 12-month SAQ-7 SS in both treatment groups (mean difference in SAQ-7 SS with conservative treatment = 1.6 [95% credible interval: 0.3-2.9] vs with invasive management = 1.9 [95% credible interval: 0.8-3.1]), with no interaction by treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

More than 1 in 4 participants reported medication nonadherence, which was associated with worse health status in both conservative and invasive treatment strategies at baseline and 12 months. Strategies to improve medication adherence are needed to improve health status outcomes in CCD, regardless of treatment strategy. (International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches [ISCHEMIA]; NCT01471522).

Intensity of and Adherence to Lipid-Lowering Therapy as Predictors of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Background The effectiveness of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) is affected by both intensity and adherence. This study evaluated the associations of LLT intensity, adherence, and the combination of these 2 aspects of LLT management with the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in people with coronary heart disease. Methods and Results This is an observational study of all adults who suffered a myocardial infarction or had coronary revascularization during 2012 to 2018 and initiated LLT in Stockholm, Sweden. Study exposures were LLT adherence (proportion of days covered), LLT intensity (expected reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and the combined measure of adherence and intensity. At each LLT fill, adherence and intensity during the previous 12 months were calculated. The primary outcomes were MACE (nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke and death); secondary outcomes were low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment and individual components of MACE. We studied 20 490 patients aged 68±11 years, 75% men, mean follow-up 2.6±1.1 years. Every 10% increase in 1-year adherence, intensity, or adherence-adjusted intensity was associated with a lower risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR], 0.94 [95% CI, 0.93-0.96]; HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.88-0.96]; and HR, 0.91 [95% CI, 0.89-0.94], respectively) and higher odds of attaining low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goals (odds ratio [OR],1.12 [95% CI, 1.10-1.15]; OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.34-1.51], and OR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.19-1.24], respectively). Among patients with good adherence (≥80%), the risk of MACE was similar with low-moderate and high-intensity LLT despite differences in the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol goal attainment with the treatment intensities. Discontinuation ≥1 year increased the risk markedly (HR,1.66 [95% CI, 1.23-2.22]). Conclusions In routine care, good adherence to LLT was associated with the greatest benefit for patients with coronary heart disease. Strategies that improve adherence and use of intensive therapies could substantially reduce cardiovascular risk.

Factors related to under-treatment of secondary cardiovascular risk, including primary healthcare: Australian National Health Survey linked data analysis

OBJECTIVE

To inform national evidence gaps on cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive medication use and factors relating to under-treatment - including primary healthcare engagement - among CVD survivors in Australia.

METHODS

Data from 884 participants with self-reported CVD from the 2014-15 National Health Survey were linked to primary care and pharmaceutical dispensing data for 2016 through the Multi-Agency Data Integration Project. Logistic regression quantified the relation of combined blood pressure- and lipid-lowering medication use to participant characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 94.8% had visited a general practitioner (GP) and 40.0% were on both blood pressure- and lipid-lowering medications. Medication use was least likely in: women versus men (OR=0.49[95%CI:0.37-0.65]), younger participants (e.g. 45-64y versus 65-85y: OR=0.58[0.42-0.79])and current versus never-smokers (OR=0.73[0.44-1.20]). Treatment was more likely in those with ≥9 versus ≤4 conditions (OR=2.15[1.39-3.31]), with ≥11 versus 0-2 GP visits/year (OR=2.62[1.53-4.48]) and with individual CVD risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure OR=3.13 [2.34-4.19]) versus without); the latter even accounting for GP service-use frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger people, smokers, those with infrequent GP visits or without CVD risk factors were the least likely to be on medication.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH

Substantial under-treatment, even among those using GP services, indicates opportunities to prevent further CVD events in primary care.

Achievement of LDL-Cholesterol Goals after Acute Myocardial Infarction: Real-World Data from the City of Curitiba Public Health System

BACKGROUND

Reduction of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-c) levels is the cornerstone in risk reduction, but many high-risk patients are not achieving the recommended lipid goals, even in high-income countries.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether patients seen in the city of Curitiba public health system are reaching LDL-c goals after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort explored the data of patients admitted with AMI between 2008 and 2015 in public hospitals from the city of Curitiba. In order to evaluate the attainment of the LDL-c target, we have used the last value registered in the database for each patient up to 2016. For those who had at least one LDL-c registered in the year before AMI, percentage of reduction was calculated. The level of significance adopted for statistical analysis was p<0.05.

RESULTS

Of 7,066 patients admitted for AMI, 1,451 were followed up in an out-patient setting and had at least one evaluation of LDL-c. Mean age was 60.8±11.4 years and 35.8%, 35.2%, 21.5%, and 7.4% of patients had LDL-c levels ≥100, 70-99, 50-69 and <50 mg/dL, respectively. Of these, 377 patients also had at least one LDL-c evaluation before the AMI. Mean LDL-c concentrations were 128.0 and 92.2 mg/dL before and after AMI, with a mean reduction of 24.3% (35.7 mg/dL). LDL-c levels were reduced by more than 50% in only 18.3% of the cases.

CONCLUSION

In the city of Curitiba public health system patients, after myocardial infarction, are not achieving adequate LDL-c levels after AMI.

Clinical Outcome and Medical Cost of Originator and Generic Antihypertensive Drugs: A Population-Based Study in Yinzhou, China

Background: The substitution of generic drugs can effectively alleviate the rapid growth of drug costs; however, the clinical effectiveness and medical costs of originator products and generics were barely studied in China.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and hypertension-related medical costs between originator and generic initiators in Yinzhou, China.

Methods: We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study using the Chinese Electronic Health Records Research in Yinzhou (CHERRY), from July 1, 2011, to December 31, 2018. Hypertension patients initiating with originator products were compared with patients initiating with generic counterparts. We used 1:1 propensity score matching to pair the two groups based on sociodemographic, clinical, and health service utilization variables. Cox proportional regression was adopted to compare the rate of hospitalization for hypertension-related cardiovascular disease between matched originator and generic initiators. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used to compare annual hypertension-related medical costs.

Results: Matched pairs (10,535) of patients were included in the comparative study of originator products and generics, corresponding to seven antihypertensive drugs including amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and metoprolol. The average age of patients included in the analysis was around 60 years (originator vs. generics initiators: from 59.0 vs. 59.1 years in losartan to 62.9 vs. 63.6 years in nifedipine). Higher hospitalization rates among originator initiators were observed for three calcium channel blockers (hazard ratio[95% CI]: amlodipine, 3.18[1.43, 7.11]; felodipine, 3.60[1.63, 7.98]; and nifedipine, 3.86[1.26, 11.81]; respectively). The remaining four out of seven drugs of the clinical endpoint estimates showed comparable outcomes between originator products and generics (hazard ratio[95% CI]: irbesartan, 1.19[0.50, 2.84]; losartan, 1.84[0.84, 4.07]; valsartan, 2.04[0.72, 5.78]; and metoprolol, 1.25[0.56, 2.80]; respectively). Higher median annual hypertension-related medical costs were observed in originator initiators (all p < 0.001), except for metoprolol (p = 0.646).

Conclusion: We observed comparable or even better clinical outcomes and less medical cost associated with the use of antihypertensive generics compared to originator counterparts. This could help increase patient and provider confidence in the efficacy of generic medicines to manage hypertension diseases.

A systematic umbrella review of the association of prescription drug insurance and cost-sharing with drug use, health services use, and health

BACKGROUND

Increasing spending and use of prescription drugs pose an important challenge to governments that seek to expand health insurance coverage to improve population health while controlling public expenditures. Patient cost-sharing such as deductibles and coinsurance is widely used with aim to control healthcare expenditures without adversely affecting health.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic umbrella review with a quality assessment of included studies to examine the association of prescription drug insurance and cost-sharing with drug use, health services use, and health. We searched five electronic bibliographic databases, hand-searched eight specialty journals and two working paper repositories, and examined references of relevant reviews. At least two reviewers independently screened the articles, extracted the characteristics, methods, and main results, and assessed the quality of each included study.

RESULTS

We identified 38 reviews. We found consistent evidence that having drug insurance and lower cost-sharing among the insured were associated with increased drug use while the lack or loss of drug insurance and higher drug cost-sharing were associated with decreased drug use. We also found consistent evidence that the poor, the chronically ill, seniors and children were similarly responsive to changes in insurance and cost-sharing. We found that drug insurance and lower drug cost-sharing were associated with lower healthcare services utilization including emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and outpatient visits. We did not find consistent evidence of an association between drug insurance or cost-sharing and health. Lastly, we did not find any evidence that the association between drug insurance or cost-sharing and drug use, health services use or health differed by socioeconomic status, health status, age or sex.

CONCLUSIONS

Given that the poor or near-poor often report substantially lower drug insurance coverage, universal pharmacare would likely increase drug use among lower-income populations relative to higher-income populations. On net, it is probable that health services use could decrease with universal pharmacare among those who gain drug insurance. Such cross-price effects of extending drug coverage should be included in costing simulations.

Pharmacological treatment after acute coronary syndrome: Baseline clinical characteristics and gender differences in a population-based cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To describe baseline socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and drugs prescribed for secondary prevention after a first episode of ACS and to assess differences between men and women.

SETTING

PHC in Catalonia.

DATA SOURCE

SIDIAP (Information System for Research in Primary Care).

PARTICIPANTS

Patients who suffered an ACS during 2009-2016 and followed-up in PHC centres of the Catalan Health Institute in Catalonia.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN MEASURES

Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline: sex, age, socioeconomic index, toxic habits, comorbidities, study drugs (prescribed for cardiovascular secondary prevention: antiplatelets, betablockers, statins, drugs acting on the renin-angiotensin system) and comedications.

RESULTS

8071 patients included, 71.3% of them were men and 80.2% had an acute myocardial infarction. Their mean age was 65.3 and women were older than men. The most frequent comorbidities were hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes and they were more common in women. Antiplatelets (91.3%) and statins (85.7%) were the study drugs most prescribed. The uses of all comedications were significantly higher in women, except for nitrates. The combination of four study groups was initially prescribed in 47.7% of patients and combination of beta-blockers, statins and antiplatelets was prescribed in 18.4%. More men than women received all recommended pharmacological groups.

CONCLUSION

Women were older, had more comorbidities and received more comedications. Most patients were treated with a combination of four or three study drugs for secondary prevention. Men initiated more drug treatments for secondary prevention and dual antiplatelet therapy than women.

EUPAS REGISTER

EUPAS19017.

Impact of a Theory-based Intervention to Promote Medication Adherence in Patients With a History of Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

Patient discontinuation of cardioprotective medications after a cardiac ischemic event commonly occurs early after hospital discharge. Theory-based interventions could be effective in promoting better patient self-regulation of health-related behaviors and positive intentions to adhere to the recommended medical regimen.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential efficacy and feasibility of a theory-based intervention to promote adherence to cardioprotective medications.

METHODS

In this mixed-methods quasi-experimental study with 3 time points, we recruited 45 participants with a positive intention to adhere and a history of myocardial infarction. They were recruited in primary care units in Brazil. Data collection occurred in 2 waves (Tb and T60). The intervention consisted of developing action and coping plans, delivered in a 30-minute face-to-face session, with face-to-face reinforcement at a 30-day interval. Quantitative data were submitted to descriptive, Wilcoxon, and McNemar analyses; qualitative data were submitted to content analysis.

RESULTS

An increase in the proportion of patients adhering to medications at the end of follow-up was found (T60 - Tb, +60.0%; P < .001). In addition, a significant reduction was found for blood pressure (T60 - Tb, -8.6 mm Hg; P < .001), heart rate (T60 - Tb, -6.6 bpm; P < .001), and low-density lipoprotein (T60 - Tb, -6.2 mg/dL; P < .05). Qualitative results revealed that the intervention was feasible, with an attrition rate of zero. The intervention was found to be easy to apply to patients' daily lives, and there was adequate time for implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data confirm the potential efficacy of a theory-based intervention on the promotion of adherence to cardioprotective medications and on the related clinical end points, as well as its feasibility in the clinical context (Universal Trial Number: U1111-1189-9967).

Impact of adherence to drugs for secondary prevention on mortality and cardiovascular morbidity: A population-based cohort study. IMPACT study

PURPOSE

Adherence to pharmacological therapy for secondary prevention after an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) reduces the risk of new cardiovascular events. However, several studies showed poor adherence. Our study aim was to assess the risk of a composite endpoint of major cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality according to the adherence to these drugs in patients after an ACS in a primary health care cohort.

METHODS

Population-based observational cohort study of patients with a first episode of ACS during 2009-2016.

DATA SOURCE

Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. Drug adherence was evaluated through proportion of days covered (PDC).

RESULTS

We included 7152 patients and 5692 (79.6%) were adherent (PDC ≥ 75%) to the study drugs during the first year after the event. Adherents to any combination showed a significant reduction of the composite endpoint risk (HR 0.80 [0.73-0.88]), and a significant lower probability of the composite endpoint than nonadherents for all drugs, except beta-blockers. Adherents to 2 (HR 1.2; 95% CI 1.0-1.3) and 1 drug (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2-1.8) had higher composite endpoint risk compared to adherents to 4-3 drugs.

CONCLUSION

Adherence to any combination of recommended drugs reduced the composite endpoint risk, regardless the number of drugs prescribed. Adherence to a combination of 4-3 drugs was significantly associated with a reduced mortality risk compared with adherents to 2 or 1, but it was not significant for MACE.

Who Suffers From Pharmaceutical Poverty and What Are Their Needs? Evidence From a Spanish Region

Background: Pharmaceutical poverty occurs when a patient cannot afford the cost of prescribed medication and/or medical products. Nonprofit organizations are covering the cost of medication to those patients in some contexts. The aim of the study was to describe the population of beneficiaries of the PB, a nongovernmental organization based on the primary healthcare system, which provides free-of-charge access to medicines and their utilization pattern of medicines and healthcare products. Methods: This was an observational study using PB beneficiary data collected between November 2017 and December 2018 in Catalonia. The Catalan Health Service provided information from the general population. A descriptive analysis of the beneficiaries' characteristics was conducted and compared to the general population. Results: The beneficiaries (N = 1,206) were mainly adults with a low level of education, unemployed, with functional disability, and with ≥1 child. Compared with the general population, the beneficiaries were older, had a lower level of education, showed a higher prevalence of functional disability, were less likely to be Spanish, and were more likely to be divorced and unemployed. The beneficiaries were polymedicated, and most were using medication related to the nervous (79%), musculoskeletal (68%), and cardiovascular system (56%) and alimentary tract and metabolism (68%). Almost 19% of beneficiaries used healthcare products. Female beneficiaries were older and more likely to be divorced or widowed, employed, and with children. Compared to men, women were more likely to use medicines for pain and mental disorders. The pediatric group used medications for severe, chronic conditions (heart diseases, autoimmune diseases, conduct disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Conclusion: Patients with severe, chronic, and disabling conditions are affected by pharmaceutical poverty. While the system of copayment remains unchanged, family physicians and pediatricians should explore economic barriers to treatment and direct their patients to resources that help to cover the cost of treatment.

Facilitators and barriers to medication adherence among stroke survivors in India

Strict compliance with medication and life style modification are integral to secondary stroke prevention. This study was undertaken to find out medication adherence among stroke survivors and factors associated with it. Cross sectional survey among stroke survivors was conducted. Interview based self-reported medication adherence was defined as consumption at least >80% of their medications for last two weeks, based on last prescription. Structured interview using pretested interview schedule was done to collect other data. Sequential step wise logistic regression analysis was done to find out the facilitators and barriers to medication adherence. Two hundred and forty stroke survivors (mean age 58.64 ± 10.96 years; 25.4% females) with a mean post-stroke period of 6.65 ± 3.36 months were participated. Overall medication adherence was 43.8% (n = 105). Medication adherence was 34.3% (n = 134), 52.6% (n = 190) and 56.7% (n = 224) for antidiabetics, antihypertensives and statins respectively and was associated with risk factor control (Diabetes: Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.85; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 2.12-11.08, Hypertension: OR = 3.42; 95% CI 1.83-6.4, Dyslipidaemia: OR = 3.88; 95% CI 1.96-4.04). Having daily routine (OR = 2.82; 95% CI 1.52-5.25), perceived need of medication (OR = 2.33; 95% CI 1.04-5.2) and perceived poor state of health (OR = 2.65; 95% CI 1.30-5.40) were facilitators. Memory issues (OR = 0.34; 95% CI 0.16-0.71), side effects (OR = 0.24; 95% CI 0.11-0.42) and financial constraints (OR = 0.46; 95% CI 0.24-0.91) were barriers to medication adherence. Establishing daily routines, periodic reminders, financial supports to buy medicines and patient education can enhance medication adherence to prevent future strokes.

Leveraging role of non-physician health workers in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in India: Enablers and challenges

Due to upsurge of non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, there is accentuated emphasis on task sharing and shifting NCDs-related health care delivery to non-physician healthcare workers especially nursing personnel and grass root level health professionals. This narrative review summates role of non-physician health workers, highlights various enablers and challenges while engaging them in delivery of NCD services so as to prevent and control various NCDs in India. Pubmed, Google scholar databases were searched using various keywords and Mesh terminologies. In addition, reference lists of selected articles were also screened. It is concluded that with regular update of knowledge, training, and supervision, these workers can efficiently deliver promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative NCD-related healthcare services to needy. While engagement of this workforce in NCDs mitigation is a transforming concept, it also has its own challenges and issues which need to be explored and addressed in order to utilize this human resource to their maximum potential.

Barriers, facilitators, and solutions to familial hypercholesterolemia treatment

Background

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited lipid disorder that confers high risk for premature cardiovascular disease but remains undertreated. Causes are multifactorial and multilevel, ranging from underprescribing (at the clinician-level) to medication nonadherence (at the patient-level). We evaluated patient and clinician stakeholder barriers and facilitators for treatment of FH to explore possible solutions to the problem.

Methods and results

Semi-structured interviews and focus groups guided by the Practical, Robust, Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM), were conducted with 33 patients and 17 clinician stakeholders across three healthcare systems. A total of14 patients and 9 clinician stakeholders participated in on-site focus groups and the remainder were individual interviews. Transcripts were coded using an iterative process to create a static codebook. We characterized patient and clinician stakeholder barriers into three categories: medical care-, medication-, and life-related. Feasibility of brainstormed solutions varied and was not always representative of the needs of all stakeholders. Patients suggested a need for childhood screening for FH and doctors being persistent about the importance of treating FH, creation of a patient peer group, data transparency, advocacy, and policy changes that would enable patients to receive better treatment. Clinician stakeholders suggested the need for clinical champions. Both groups of stakeholders discussed the need for education about FH.

Conclusions

Proposed solutions to improve treatment of FH proffered by participants in this study included resources for both patients and clinician stakeholders that clarify cardiovascular disease risks from FH, develop programs to screen for and identify FH at younger ages, and foster open conversations between patients and clinicians about treatment.

Long-term secondary cardiovascular prevention programme in patients subjected to coronary artery bypass surgery

AIMS

Patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) are at very high risk of recurrent events. A strategy to reduce excess risk might be to deliver structured secondary prevention programmes, but their efficacy has been mostly evaluated in the short term and in experimental settings. This is a retrospective case-control study aimed at assessing, in the real world, the efficacy of a secondary prevention programme in reducing long-term coronary event recurrences after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Programme participants (henceforth 'cases') were men and women aged <75 years subjected to CABG between 2002 and 2014, living within 100 km of the hospital. Key programme actions included optimization of treatments according to the most updated European preventive guidelines, surveillance of therapy adherence, and customized lifestyle counselling. Controls were analogous patients not involved in the programme because living farther than 100 km away, matched 1:1 with cases for gender, age at CABG, and year of CABG. Both groups (n = 1248) underwent usual periodic cardiology follow-up at our centre. Data on symptomatic or silent CHD recurrences were obtained from the hospital electronic health records. Cox analysis (adjusted for baseline differences between groups) shows that programme participation was associated with a significantly lower incidence throughout 5 years post-CABG of symptomatic [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval): 0.59 (0.38-0.94)] and silent [0.53 (0.31-0.89)] coronary recurrences.

CONCLUSION

In a real-world setting, taking part in a structured longstanding secondary prevention programme, in addition to usual cardiology care, meaningfully lowers the risk of coronary recurrences.

Tailored Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence for Cardiovascular Diseases

Over the past half-century, medical research on cardiovascular disease (CVD) has achieved a great deal; however, medication adherence is unsatisfactory. Nearly 50% of patients do not follow prescriptions when taking medications, which limits the ability to maximize their therapeutic effects and results in adverse clinical outcomes and high healthcare costs. Furthermore, the effects of medication adherence interventions are disappointing, and tailored interventions have been proposed as an appropriate way to improve medication adherence. To rethink and reconstruct methods of improving medication adherence for CVD, the literature on tailored interventions for medication adherence focusing on CVD within the last 5 years is retrieved and reviewed. Focusing on identifying nonadherent patients, detecting barriers to medication adherence, delivering clinical interventions, and constructing theories, this article reviews the present state of tailored interventions for medication adherence in CVD and also rethinks the present difficulties and suggests avenues for future development.

Factors that influence adherence to treatment plans amongst people living with cardiovascular disease: A review of published qualitative research studies

BACKGROUND

Treatment plan adherence is recognized as a worldwide health issue, particularly important in the management of cardiovascular patients. Healthcare professionals are the primary sources of information and support for people diagnosed with CVD and those who have experienced a cardiac event, yet we know little about how healthcare professionals contribute to the process of adherence to treatment plans that aim to prevent and/or reduce disease and adverse events. Qualitative evidence that explores factors that influence adherence to treatment plans is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review identified and synthesised the best available evidence on factors that influence adherence to treatment plans amongst people living with cardiovascular disease.

DESIGN

Systematic review and qualitative synthesis.

METHODS

Data were collected from Medline, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase- Non-Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Central (Grey Literature). Pre-defined keywords and MeSH terms were used to identify qualitative methods English-language studies published between 2001 and 2018. Quality appraisal of each paper was completed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist and two reviewers extracted the data independently.

RESULTS

Twenty-two articles were included. Eight key themes were identified that related to facilitators and barriers to adherence to treatment plans. Facilitators were identified as engaging in exercise, having support and mentorship, lifestyle modification, and the perceived value of taking medication. Barriers were identified as a perceived lack of support, concerns about taking medication, and lack of engagement in exercise and lifestyle changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings highlight the factors that support adherence and healthcare professionals can build on also the areas that can be targeted to support and improve adherence to treatment plans. Nurses can play an important role in enhancing the provision of information pre hospital discharge and support in the community on taking medication, the value of physical activity and dietary changes.

Reasons for Nonadherence to Statins - A Systematic Review of Reviews

PURPOSE

Lipid-lowering medications are often prescribed to decrease the risk of micro- and macro-cardiovascular complications related to dyslipidaemia. Despite widespread prescription of lipid-lowering drugs, including statins, adherence to therapy is a challenge worldwide. This systematic review of reviews aimed to conduct a critical appraisal and synthesis of review findings and to provide an overview of the factors that were found to affect adherence to lipid-lowering drugs, focusing on statins, in the reviews.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A systematic review methodology was used. MEDLINE, Embase, and Epistemonikos databases were searched for relevant publications. AMSTAR 2 criteria were used to assess the quality of the selected publications.

RESULTS

From a total of 763 screened publications, 9 met all inclusion criteria and were included in this synthesis. Several factors were identified as being associated with adherence to lipid-lowering agents. Among them, high socio-economic and educational position, and middle age had a positive effect on adherence to lipid-lowering agents. Contrary, female sex, older and younger age, non-white race, low socio-economic position, high co-payments, being a new statin user, comorbidities, side effects, regimen complexity, type and intensity of statin dose, smoking, alcohol consumption, imperceptible benefits, and medical distrust contributed to non-adherence. The overall quality of the included reviews was considered critically low to moderate.

CONCLUSION

This review of reviews has evaluated the impact of factors on adherence statins. Further research related to modifiable predictors for non-adherence is warranted.

Fixed dose combinations for cardiovascular treatment via coaxial electrospraying: Coated amorphous solid dispersion particles

As a result of an aging population, the need for fixed dose combinations in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, that are easy to swallow and administer, has been growing remarkably. In this work, the feasibility of coaxial electrospraying (CES) was investigated to manufacture in one single step, a powder of individually coated particles containing atenolol (ATE), lovastatin (LOV) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). To improve the dissolution rate of the poorly water soluble LOV, an amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of LOV with Soluplus® (SOL) was formulated and Eudragit S100®, an enteric copolymer that only dissolves above pH 7, was applied as coating to avoid LOV hydrolysis in acidic medium. Furthermore, ATE was added to the inner ASD compartment and the acidic ASA was embedded in the coating layer. With regard to the uncoated ASD particles, which were prepared with single nozzle electrospraying, the rate and extent of the LOV dissolution was increased, even to an extent of 100% for the 1/1/6 (ATE/LOV/SOL) ratio. Hence, this ratio was selected and coated particles with proper release of the three APIs could be successfully produced via CES. However, a peculiar behaviour of the coating performance was observed. Regarding LOV, the enteric layer of the particles performed as expected in acidic medium and supersaturation was obtained after the switch to a neutral pH, but in contrast, over 50% of ATE was released after 90 min in acidic medium. Nonetheless, hardly any ATE was released under acidic circumstances from ATE tablets that were, as a benchmark, manually dip-coated with Eudragit S100®. Two different model APIs, namely paracetamol (well soluble) and fenofibrate (poorly soluble) were tested as well, revealing similar discrepancy in the coating performance. The coating layer formed during CES is most likely less dense as compared to the layer produced with tablet coating and consequently, more permeable for highly soluble APIs, but not for the poorly soluble compounds.

Medication Adherence and Associated Factors among Chronic Heart Failure Clients on Follow Up Oromia Region, West Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Chronic heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome with typical symptoms that can occur at rest or on effort. It requires patients to manage their lifestyle with their disease and when to notify their healthcare provider. The study was aimed to identify medication adherence and associated factors among chronic heart failure clients on follow up Oromia region, West Ethiopia, 2017.

METHODS

Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed, after selecting three hospitals by lottery method and allocating respondents to the three hospitals proportionally. A total of 424 patients were admitted to the medical ward and/or chronic follow up of Nekemte referral, Gimbi, and Shambu hospitals. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi-data version 3.1, cleared, explored, and then exported to SPSS windows version 24.0 for further analysis. Variable having a p-value less than 0.05 in the bivariate analysis was a candidate for multivariable analysis and the effect of confounding variables was observed. Variables having a p-value less than 0.05 in the multivariable analysis were assumed significant.

RESULTS

A total of 424 respondents were included in the final analysis giving a 95.3% response rate. The result indicated that more than half of the study participants have adhered to prescribed medication. Respondents with good medication adherence were more likely to adhere to good self-care behavior [AOR (95% CI of OR) = 3.5(2.044, 5.96)]. Respondents whose limited fluid intake was one or half-liter per day were more likely to adhere to the medication [AOR (95% CI of OR) = 2.5(1.43, 4.49)]. It was also found that those patients who avoided spices, sauces and others in food are more likely to adhere to the medication [AOR (95% CI of OR) = 2.2 (1.152, 4.039)].

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Even if more than half of the study respondents have good medication and self-care adherence, still it needs great attention in health education over their visit. Health institutions are strongly recommended to give health education for clients and researchers to use advanced study design for measuring medication adherence and self-care behaviors.

Behavioral economic insights to improve medication adherence in adults with chronic conditions: a scoping review protocol

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to map the evidence on the use of behavioral economic insights to improve medication adherence in adults with chronic conditions.

INTRODUCTION

Medication non-adherence is a barrier to effectively managing chronic conditions, leading to poorer patient outcomes and placing an additional financial burden on healthcare systems. As the population ages and the prevalence of chronic disease increases, new ways to influence patient behavior are needed. Approaches that use insights from behavioral economics may help improve medication adherence, thus reducing morbidity, mortality and financial costs of unmanaged chronic diseases.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Eligible studies will include adults taking medication for a chronic condition. All interventions relevant to high-income settings using insights from behavioral economics to improve medication adherence in adults will be considered. Contexts may include, but are not limited to, primary health care, corporate wellness programs and health insurance schemes. Any study design published in English will be considered. Studies in facilities where medication is administered to patients will be excluded.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Scopus, PsycINFO, EconLit and CINAHL will be searched from database inception to present. Gray literature will be searched using Google Scholar, OpenGrey and the Grey Literature Report. One reviewer will review titles, and then two reviewers will independently review abstracts to identify eligible studies. One reviewer will extract data on study characteristics, study design and study outcomes. A second reviewer will validate 25% of the extracted information. The results of the data extraction will be presented in a table, and a narrative summary will be presented.

Self-Reported Non-adherence to Medication in Japanese Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

OBJECTIVE

Non-adherence to medication is an important problem in cardiovascular treatment. The aim of this study was to assess self-reported non-adherence in Japanese patients with cardiovascular disease.

METHODS

A total of 1372 outpatients at three university hospitals who completed self-reported questionnaires were analyzed in this prospective study (mean age 67 ± 12 years; 31% female). Self-reported adherence to cardiovascular drugs was measured with a modified Siegal scale. Depressive symptoms were defined as a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score of ≥ 10.

RESULTS

A total of 227 patients (17%) were defined as non-adherent. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that ≥ 2 times daily dosing frequency, age < 65 years and active employment were significantly associated with non-adherence, with odds ratios of 4.42 [95% confidence interval (CI) 3.02-6.48], 1.70 (95% CI 1.23-2.35) and 1.43 (95% CI 1.03-1.99), respectively. However, depression was not a significant factor in non-adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that self-reported non-adherence to medications was 17% in Japanese patients with cardiovascular disease in the university hospital setting. Daily dosing frequency, younger age and employment were significantly associated with non-adherence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) no. UMIN 000023514.

Impact of Medication Adherence on Mortality and Cardiovascular Morbidity: Protocol for a Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease. CVD is the leading threat to global health, whether measured by mortality, morbidity, or economic cost. Long-term administration of aspirin, statins, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers improves survival in patients with stablished coronary heart disease. Nevertheless, adherence to prescribed medication is poor for long-term drug treatment.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to assess the relationship between adherences to the four pharmacological groups recommended for secondary prevention and the clinical outcomes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with established CHD according to the level of adherence to these drugs in a population of incident cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

Population-based cohort study of patients with a first episode of ACS during 2006-2015 in the Information System for Research in Primary Care (SIDIAP) database. We will estimate adherence to these drugs. The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause mortality, ACS, and ischaemic stroke. Bivariate analyses will be performed estimating odds ratios for categorical variables and mean differences for continuous variables. Hazard ratios for adherences will be calculated for outcome events using Cox proportional hazard regression models, and proportionality of hazards assumption will be tested.

RESULTS

We expect to estimate adherence to all four study treatments, the incidence of MACE, and to analyze if this incidence is associated with the level of drug adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

We expect to find that adherent patients have a lower risk of the primary endpoints compared with nonadherent patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study protocol was classified as EPA-OD by the AEMPS (IJG-EST-2017-01-2017-01, 07/04/2017) and registered in the EU PAS register (EUPAS19017, 09/05/2017).

An NGO-Implemented Community-Clinic Health Worker Approach to Providing Long-Term Care for Hypertension in a Remote Region of Southern India

Poor blood pressure control results in tremendous morbidity and mortality in India where the leading cause of death among adults is from coronary heart disease. Despite having little formal education, community health workers (CHWs) are integral to successful public health interventions in India and other low- and middle-income countries that have a shortage of trained health professionals. Training CHWs to screen for and manage chronic hypertension, with support from trained clinicians, offers an excellent opportunity for effecting systemwide change in hypertension-related burden of disease. In this article, we describe the development of a program that trained CHWs between 2014 and 2015 in the tribal region of the Sittilingi Valley in southern India, to identify hypertensive patients in the community, refer them for diagnosis and initial management in a physician-staffed clinic, and provide them with sustained lifestyle interventions and medications over multiple visits. We found that after 2 years, the CHWs had screened 7,176 people over age 18 for hypertension, 1,184 (16.5%) of whom were screened as hypertensive. Of the 1,184 patients screened as hypertensive, 898 (75.8%) had achieved blood pressure control, defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 140 and a diastolic blood pressure less than 90 sustained over 3 consecutive visits. While all of the 24 trained CHWs reported confidence in checking blood pressure with a manual blood pressure cuff, 4 of the 24 CHWs reported occasional difficulty documenting blood pressure values because they were unable to write numbers properly. They compensated by asking other CHWs or members of their community to help with documentation. Our experience and findings suggest that a CHW blood pressure screening system linked to a central clinic can be a promising avenue for improving hypertension control rates in low- and middle-income countries.

Exploring the Barriers to and Facilitators of Using Evidence-Based Drugs in the Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: Findings From a Multistakeholder, Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND

Health-system barriers and facilitators associated with cardiovascular medication adherence have seldom been studied, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where uptake rates are poorest.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to explore the major obstacles and facilitators to the use of evidence-supported medications for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease using qualitative analysis in 2 diverse countries across multiple levels of their health care systems.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study approach was implemented in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Delhi, India. A purposeful sample (n = 69) of 23 patients, 10 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, 5 Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy physicians, 11 pharmacists, 3 nurses, 4 hospital administrators, 1 social worker, 3 nongovernmental organization workers, 2 pharmaceutical company representatives, and 5 policy makers participated in interviews in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (n = 21), and Delhi, India (n = 48). All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed followed by directed content analysis to summarize and categorize the interviews.

RESULTS

Themes that emerged across the stakeholder groups included: medication counseling; monitoring adherence; medication availability; medication affordability and drug coverage; time restrictions; and task shifting. The depth of verbal medication counseling provided varied substantially between countries, with prescribers in India unable to convey relevant information about drug treatments due to time constraint and high patient load. Canadian patients reported drug affordability as a common issue and very few patients were familiar with government subsidized drug programs. In India, patients purchased medications out-of-pocket from private, community pharmacies to avoid long commutes, lost wages, and unavailability of medications from hospitals formularies. Task shifting medication-refilling and titration to nonphysician health workers was accepted and supported by physicians in Canada but not in India, where many of the physicians considered a high level of clinical expertise a precondition to carry out these tasks skillfully.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings reveal context-specific, health system factors that affect the patient's choice or ability to initiate and/or continue cardiovascular medication. Strategies to optimize cardiovascular drug use should be targeted and relevant to the health care system.

Reducing the Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease, Part 2: Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

In this second part of a 2-part series on the global burden of cardiovascular disease, we review the proven, effective approaches to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. We specifically review the management of acute cardiovascular diseases, including acute coronary syndromes and stroke; the care of cardiovascular disease in the ambulatory setting, including medical strategies for vascular disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure; surgical strategies for arterial revascularization, rheumatic and other valvular heart disease, and symptomatic bradyarrhythmia; and approaches to the prevention of cardiovascular disease, including lifestyle factors, blood pressure control, cholesterol-lowering, antithrombotic therapy, and fixed-dose combination therapy. We also discuss cardiovascular disease prevention in diabetes mellitus; digital health interventions; the importance of socioeconomic status and universal health coverage. We review building capacity for conduction cardiovascular intervention through strengthening healthcare systems, priority setting, and the role of cost effectiveness.

World Heart Federation Cholesterol Roadmap

BACKGROUND

The World Heart Federation has undertaken an initiative to develop a series of Roadmaps.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of these is to promote development of national policies and health systems approaches and identify potential roadblocks on the road to effective prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low-and middle-income countries (LMIC), and strategies for overcoming these. This Roadmap focuses on elevated blood cholesterol, a leading risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

Through a review of published guidelines and research papers, and consultation with a committee composed of experts in clinical management of cholesterol and health systems research in LMIC, this Roadmap identifies (1) key interventions for primordial, primary and secondary prevention of CVD through detection, treatment, and management of elevated cholesterol and familial hypercholesterolemia (FH); (2) gaps in implementation of these interventions (knowledge-practice gaps); (3) health system roadblocks to treatment of elevated cholesterol in LMIC; and (4) potential strategies for overcoming these.

RESULTS

Despite strong evidence of the importance of cholesterol levels in primary or secondary prevention of CVD, and the effectiveness of statin therapy for cholesterol lowering and reduction of CVD risk, gaps exist in the detection, treatment, and management of high cholesterol globally. Some potential roadblocks include poor access to laboratory facilities or trained professionals for cholesterol management, low awareness of FH among the general population and health professionals, unaffordability of statins for patient households, and low awareness of the importance of persistent adherence to lipid-lowering medication. Potential solutions include point-of-care testing, provision of free or subsidized lipid-lowering medication, and treatment adherence support using text message reminders.

CONCLUSIONS

Known effective strategies for detection, treatment, and management of elevated cholesterol and FH exist, but there are barriers to their implementation in many low-resource settings. Priorities for health system intervention should be identified at the national level, and the feasibility and effectiveness of proposed solutions should be assessed in specific contexts. Many solutions proposed in this Roadmap may apply to other cardiovascular conditions and present opportunities for integration of CVD care in LMIC.

Barriers and facilitators to adherence to secondary stroke prevention medications after stroke: analysis of survivors and caregivers views from an online stroke forum

OBJECTIVE

To identify barriers and facilitators of medication adherence in patients with stroke along with their caregivers.

DESIGN

Qualitative thematic analysis of posts about secondary prevention medications, informed by Perceptions and Practicalities Approach.

SETTING

Posts written by the UK stroke survivors and their family members taking part in the online forum of the Stroke Association, between 2004 and 2011.

PARTICIPANTS

84 participants: 49 stroke survivors, 33 caregivers, 2 not stated, identified using the keywords 'taking medication', 'pills', 'size', 'side-effects', 'routine', 'blister' as well as secondary prevention medication terms.

RESULTS

Perceptions reducing the motivation to adhere included dealing with medication side effects, questioning doctors' prescribing practices and negative publicity about medications, especially in regard to statins. Caregivers faced difficulties with ensuring medications were taken while respecting the patient's decisions not to take tablets. They struggled in their role as advocates of patient's needs with healthcare professionals. Not experiencing side effects, attributing importance to medications, positive personal experiences of taking tablets and obtaining modification of treatment to manage side effects were facilitators of adherence. Key practical barriers included difficulties with swallowing tablets, dealing with the burden of treatment and drug cost. Using medication storage devices, following routines and getting help with medications from caregivers were important facilitators of adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

An online stroke forum is a novel and valuable resource to investigate use of secondary prevention medications. Analysis of this forum highlighted significant barriers and facilitators of medication adherence faced by stroke survivors and their caregivers. Addressing perceptual and practical barriers highlighted here can inform the development of future interventions aimed at improving adherence to secondary prevention medication after stroke.

Practical Applications for Single Pill Combinations in the Cardiovascular Continuum

Despite the availability of new drugs and devices, the treatment of cardiovascular disease remains suboptimal. Single-pill combination therapy offers a number of potential advantages. It can combine different classes of drugs to increase efficacy while mitigating the risks of treatment-related adverse events, reduce pill burden, lower medical cost, and improve patient adherence. Furthermore, in hypertension, single pill combinations include standard to lower doses of each drug than would be necessary to achieve goals with monotherapy, which may explain their better tolerability compared with higher dose monotherapy. Combination therapy is now established in the treatment of hypertension. In ischaemic heart disease, the concept of a preventative polypill has been studied, but its benefits have not been established conclusively. However, the combination of ivabradine and beta-blockers has proven efficacy in patients with stable angina pectoris. This combination has also demonstrated benefits in patients with chronic heart failure.