Letter to the Editor

Abstract

We read with interest the recent paper by Bermingham et al, 1 Bermingham M. Hayden J. Dawkins I. et al. Prospective analysis of LDL-C goal achievement and self-reported medication adherence among statin users in primary care. Clin Ther. 2011; 33: 1180-1189 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (36) Google Scholar entitled “Prospective Analysis of LDL-C Goal Achievement and Self-Reported Medication Adherence Among Statin Users in Primary Care.” The authors suggested that adherence was independently associated with male sex and patients' beliefs, measured by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale about medicines but not the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. In our study, 2 Yilmaz M.B. Biyikoglu S.F. Guray Y. et al. Level of awareness of on-treatment patients about prescribed statins. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2004; 18: 399-404 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar we found that participants in whom statin therapy was started during hospitalization for coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention were more aware that statins should be used continuously (49% vs 12% not hospitalized; P < 0.01). Also, therapy adjustment by the physician led to a better understanding of the need for continuous use (55% vs 31% without medication change; P < 0.001), as was the case for patients with <2 comedications (36% vs 17% with >2 comedications; P = 0.002). 2 Yilmaz M.B. Biyikoglu S.F. Guray Y. et al. Level of awareness of on-treatment patients about prescribed statins. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2004; 18: 399-404 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar Furthermore, being well informed about statins increased the likelihood of being on continuous statin therapy after almost 1.5 years by 2-fold. 3 Yilmaz M.B. Pinar M. Naharci I. et al. Being well-informed about statin is associated with continuous adherence and reaching targets. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2005; 19: 437-440 Crossref PubMed Scopus (37) Google Scholar Presence of other risk factors did not have any impact on the level of awareness. 2 Yilmaz M.B. Biyikoglu S.F. Guray Y. et al. Level of awareness of on-treatment patients about prescribed statins. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2004; 18: 399-404 Crossref PubMed Scopus (23) Google Scholar Prospective Analysis of LDL-C Goal Achievement and Self-Reported Medication Adherence Among Statin Users in Primary CareClinical TherapeuticsVol. 33Issue 9PreviewImprovements in the control of LDL-C levels have occurred in the past decade due to the introduction of increasingly potent statins, such as atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Many patients, however, do not achieve their LDL-C goals, which presents a practical dilemma for clinicians and highlights the need to identify adherence problems in a clinically relevant manner. Full-Text PDF The authors respond:Clinical TherapeuticsVol. 33Issue 12PreviewWe thank Drs. Aksu and Yilmaz for their correspondence and their interest in our work. They describe a range of factors that were associated with patient understanding of and adherence to statin therapy in their own study.1,2 They also make the important point that medication adherence is influenced by many coexisting factors. We would caution, however, that our study had somewhat different objectives and analyses. Full-Text PDF