Abstract
BackgroundControl of vascular risk factors is essential for secondary stroke prevention. However, adherence to secondary prevention medications is often suboptimal, and may be affected by cognitive impairment. Few studies to date have examined associations between cognitive impairment and medication adherence post-stroke, and none have considered whether adherence to secondary prevention medications might affect subsequent cognitive function. The aim of this study was to explore prospective associations between cognitive impairment and medication non-adherence post-stroke.MethodsA five-year follow-up of 108 stroke survivors from the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) prospective observational cohort study. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at 6 months, and a neuropsychological test battery at 5 years. Adherence to antihypertensive, antithrombotic and lipid-lowering medications was assessed using prescription refill data.ResultsThe prevalence of cognitive impairment at five years was 35.6%. The prevalence of non-adherence ranged from 15.1% for lipid-lowering agents to 30.2% for antithrombotics. There were no statistically significant associations between medication non-adherence in the first year post-stroke and cognitive impairment at 5 years, nor between cognitive impairment at 6 months and non-adherence at 5 years. Stroke survivors with cognitive impairment were significantly more likely to report receiving help with taking medications [OR (95% CI): 4.84 (1.17, 20.07)].ConclusionsThis is the first study to explore the potential impact of non-adherence to secondary prevention medications on cognitive impairment in stroke survivors. Findings highlight the role of family members and caregivers in assisting stroke survivors with medication administration, particularly in the context of deficits in cognitive function. Involving family members and caregivers may be a legitimate and cost-effective strategy to improve medication adherence in stroke survivors.
Highlights
Cognitive impairment is common post-stroke and can increase levels of disability and dependency, leading to a greater burden on caregivers and the healthcare system [1,2,3,4]
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. This is the first study to explore the potential impact of non-adherence to secondary prevention medications on cognitive impairment in stroke survivors
Findings highlight the role of family members and caregivers in assisting stroke survivors with medication administration, in the context of deficits in cognitive function
Summary
Cognitive impairment is common post-stroke and can increase levels of disability and dependency, leading to a greater burden on caregivers and the healthcare system [1,2,3,4]. All studies to date have examined cognitive impairment as a predictor of medication non-adherence; whether adherence to secondary prevention medications might affect subsequent cognitive impairment remains unexplored [14]. The main aims of this study were: 1) to explore the prospective association between cognitive impairment at six months and adherence to secondary prevention medications at five years post-stroke, and 2) to explore the prospective association between medication non-adherence at 12 months and cognitive impairment at five years poststroke. Few studies to date have examined associations between cognitive impairment and medication adherence post-stroke, and none have considered whether adherence to secondary prevention medications might affect subsequent cognitive function. The aim of this study was to explore prospective associations between cognitive impairment and medication non-adherence post-stroke
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