Effects of Statin and Antiplatelet Therapy Noncompliance and Intolerance on Patient Outcomes Following Vascular Surgery

Abstract

Prior studies have evaluated the effects of statin and antiplatelet (AP) medications on the vascular surgery patient population. Although the benefits of statin and AP use are well-described, there is a paucity of research into the specific outcomes of patients who are unable to take the medication owing to intolerance or noncompliance. Our goal is to examine the outcomes of intolerant patients and to compare to those who are noncompliant. We performed a retrospective study of patients within the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) registry undergoing an elective procedure between 2005-2018. Patients who died within 30 days postoperatively and those missing data were removed. Patients were considered noncompliant if they were previously prescribed a medication at discharge but were not taking it at 1-year follow-up or if patient-reported “noncompliant” in the VQI. Medication intolerance was defined if listed as “no, for medical reasons” in the VQI. Mortality data was ascertained using the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). We identified 140,010 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Statin intolerance was noted in 2.3% at discharge and 2.1% at 1-year follow-up, with 0.7% listed as intolerant at all stages. Statistically significant factors associated with increased risk of medication intolerance included female gender, lower extremity procedures, insurance (non-US insurer), discharge destination (nursing home), and documented intolerance to other medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, aspirin, anticoagulants, and beta-blockers). A survival analysis (Fig 1) revealed a 91% survival at 5 years in patients on both statins and AP agents compared with 82% in patients taking neither medication (log-rank P < .001). As seen in Fig 2, patients with statin intolerance have a similar survival course as noncompliant patients. Noncompliance at 1 year for statins, aspirin, and P2Y12 inhibitors was 9.0%, 11.8%, and 28.9%, respectively. Noncompliance with statins was correlated with noncompliance with aspirin therapy (R = 0.16; P < .001) and P2Y12 inhibitors (R = 0.09; P < .001). Statistically significant factors associated with increased risk of medication noncompliance included female gender, lower extremity procedures, insurance (self-pay), discharge destination (nursing home), and ambulatory status (requiring assistance). Patients not taking statin and AP therapy have a substantially decreased 5-year survival irrespective of the reason for not taking. Although noncompliance can be quite difficult to manage, intolerant patients may be more engaged and benefit from alteration of statin dose or type (hydrophilic vs lipophilic), or the use of newer agents, such as PCSK9 inhibitors.Fig 2Kaplan-Meier curve for statin compliance.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)