COMPLIANCE TO STATIN TREATMENT IN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS: A 12-MONTH OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Mirac Vural Keskinler1, Günes Alkaya1, Irem Bozkurt Cakir2, Aslı Karsli1, Aytekin Oguz1

1Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine
2Ardahan State Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine

Introduction: Targeted results can only be reached if the recommendations of the guidelines are applied to the real life. In this study, it is aimed to determine the one year drug adherence of diabetic patients that statin treatment was indicated and initialized.

Method: Statin treatment was initiated to 153 consecutive patients who applied to Istanbul Medeniyet University Goztepe Training and Research Hospital Diabetes Outpatient Clinics that are were not on statin treatment, had indication for statin treatment according to ADA (American Diabetes Association) guidelines and did not have any contraindications for statin treatment. No education or follow-up on usage of statins or other medication were performed other than the routine recommendations of daily practice. Patients on statin treatment were called and asked if they were still taking their prescribed statins after 12 months. Patients who did not continue their statin treatment were questioned for any specific reasons. 

Findings: Of the 153 diabetic patients who were started on statin treatment ,128 patients (F/M=75/53) were reached. 53% (n=68) of these patients were still on statin treatment. 36.7% of the patients stopped taking statins according to their own decision, 7% of the patients stopped taking statins with the recommendation of another physician and 3.1% of the patients were not taking statins on a regular daily basis. Women were more likely to quit their statin treatment (40% of women compared to 32.1% of men). The most common reason for medication cessation was patients’ unwillingness to take statins.

Results: Statins are one of the drugs that are proved to prevent cardiovascular complication of diabetes mellitus. The statin that is indicated and prescribed according to the guidelines should be taken continuously to achieve desired efficacy. However, it is observed that patients stop statin treatment for a variety of reasons. The result of this study showed that almost half of the patients who were started on statins stopped taking their medications by the end of one year and the most common reason to stop statin treatment was their own decision to do so. Our study demonstrated the necessity of investigating the reasons of high statin cessation rates and applying appropriate preventative and educational measures.

Compliance to statin treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus: a 12-month observational study