Family practice patients' adherence to statin medications.

Abstract

Almost two-thirds (63%) of patients who were prescribed statins by their family physicians reported high adherence to the medications. Strategies to improve adherence would best be directed at patients who are younger or taking fewer than 4 or more than 6 other prescribed medications. Patients should be encouraged to maintain a lifestyle of regular exercise and a healthy diet, as this was associated with better adherence to statin medications.