Determinants of non‐compliance with lipid‐lowering therapy in hyperlipidemic patients

Abstract

Abstract Purpose In order to assess the determinants of non‐compliance with a lipid‐lowering therapy, a prospective study of the hyperlipidemic Korean subjects was carried out. Methods A total of 1019 patients was observed by 46 family physicians for the period of 1 year from January 1999 to January 2000. To ascertain the compliance associated with a lipid lowering drug (Simvastatin), we regularly followed up the hyperlipidemic patients at intervals of 4, 12 and 24 weeks. The criterion for evaluating compliance is to measure clinic attendance. Using a structured questionnaire, patients and physicians were asked about risk factors for the compliance. Results During the first 24 weeks of treatment, the lipid‐lowering medication was continued by 52.3% and discontinued by 19.7%. The remaining 28% dropped out. Patient‐related factors for non‐compliance were young age, current smoker, lack of low fat diet and exercise, new user, no concomitant medication, and occurrence of adverse reactions. Physician‐related factors for non‐compliance were low patients' satisfaction with the physician, small number of hyperlipidemic patients per month and working in a relatively small hospital. Conclusions Compliance with the lipid‐lowering therapy was relatively low and several factors for non‐compliance were detected. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.