Antihyperlipidemic Drugs in a Lipid Clinic
Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains the leading cause of death in U.S. men and women. Clinical studies have demonstrated the benefit of lipid-lowering medications in decreasing CHD events in patients receiving treatment for both primary prevention and secondary prevention. However, a majority of patients eligible for lipid-lowering therapy based on the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria 7 are either inadequately treated (do not attain goals for low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol) or do not receive any lipid-lowering therapy.

Adherence to prescribed regimens has been found to vary widely with the class of antilipemic agents prescribed, the presence of comorbidities, and patient sex. Also, studies have suggested a potential for decreased adherence to prescribed medications in those who used alternative therapies. Some 40-50% of U.S. adults use alternative therapies, and the number is growing. However, many who use alternative medicines do not inform their health care provider that they are doing so. This creates the potential for drug interactions and other adverse events.

The purpose of this study was to determine patient-reported adherence to prescribed lipid-lowering medications in a population with documented lipid disorders and to examine whether adherence was influenced by patient use of alternative therapies and by other patient-related factors.