Is high-intensity statin therapy associated with lower statin adherence compared with low- to moderate-intensity statin therapy? Implications of the 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Cholesterol Management Guidelines.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The recent cholesterol guideline recommends high-intensity statins in cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients. High-intensity statins are associated with more frequent side effects. Therefore, it may be of concern that these recommendations might reduce statin adherence.

Hypothesis

High-intensity statins are associated with lower adherence compared with low- to moderate-intensity statins.

Methods

In a national database of 972,532 CVD patients from the Veterans Health Administration, we identified patients receiving statins between October 1, 2010, and September 30, 2011. We assessed statin adherence by calculating proportion of days covered (PDC) and determined whether high-intensity statin therapy was independently associated with a lower PDC.

Results

SUBMITTER: Virani SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6649436 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature