Oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs in secondary stroke prevention in Polish patients – Results of lipidogram and lipidogen study

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of use of oral antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs as secondary stroke prevention among people in Poland and its association with sociodemographic factors, place of residence, and concomitant cardiovascular risk factors. The study group consisted of 268 subjects with a history of a previous ischaemic stroke, participants of multicentre, population-based study (Lipidogram & Lipidogen Study). We have obtained patient and Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, as necessary. Among all the examined patients, 165 subjects (61.6%) used at least one drug as the secondary prevention. Oral antiplatelets were used by 116 patients (43.3%); oral anticoagulants - by 70 subjects (26.1%). Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy was simultaneously applied in 21 patients (7.8%). 157 subjects (58.6%) used hypolipidaemic drugs, and 205 (76.5%) – antihypertensive drugs. Among all the concomitant cardiovascular risk factors, coronary heart disease was significantly associated with antiplatelet treatment, and a history of atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease, and previous myocardial infarction - with anticoagulant treatment. Use of drugs did not depend on age, gender, time from stroke, place of residence (rural or urban), and level of education. It seems that in Poland secondary cardiovascular preventive therapy is used too rarely. Structured educational programs should be developed in Poland to improve usage of secondary preventive therapy.