Related Experiment Videos
Patient-reported frequency of taking aspirin in a population with coronary artery disease
Nancy M Allen LaPointe1, Judith M Kramer, Elizabeth R DeLong
1Duke CERTs (Centers for Education & Research on Therapeutics) at the Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, North Carolina 27715, USA. allen003@mc.duke.edu
Insights
Many coronary artery disease patients eligible for aspirin therapy are not receiving it. This study highlights that an estimated 6% of eligible patients with coronary artery disease are not using antiplatelet agents.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Antiplatelet agents offer significant benefits for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
- A notable gap exists in the appropriate use of these life-saving medications among eligible CAD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of aspirin use and nonuse in a large CAD referral population.
- To identify factors influencing aspirin use and nonuse.
- To inform strategies for increasing antiplatelet therapy adherence in CAD patients.
Main Methods:
- A survey was conducted on a subset (n=2,694) of a large CAD referral population (n=16,174).
- The subset included all identified aspirin nonusers and a 5% sample of aspirin users.
- Survey data was extrapolated to estimate overall aspirin use and identify eligible nonusers.
Main Results:
- A total of 1,626 patients responded to the survey (63% response rate).
- Of respondents, 58% reported taking aspirin, while 42% did not.
- Extrapolation indicated an 85% aspirin use rate in the overall population, with an estimated 6% of eligible patients not receiving therapy.
Conclusions:
- Despite a higher-than-reported aspirin use rate in this CAD population, a significant number of eligible patients remain undertreated.
- Addressing the barriers to aspirin use is crucial for optimizing secondary prevention in coronary artery disease.
Abstract:
Despite the established benefits of antiplatelet agents in coronary artery disease (CAD), many appropriate patients are not receiving them. We investigated the prevalence of and factors associated with aspirin use and nonuse within a large referral population with CAD. The goal was to identify an approach to increase the use of antiplatelet agents by such patients. We surveyed a subset (n = 2,694) of a large CAD referral population (n = 16,174) to determine the use of aspirin and factors associated with its use or nonuse. The subset was made up of all of the CAD referral population who were considered nonusers of aspirin and a 5% sample of those considered aspirin users. We then extrapolated survey data to the overall population to estimate how many eligible patients were not taking antiplatelet agents. In all, 1,626 (63%) of the surviving patients responded to the survey. Of these, 948 (58%) reported taking aspirin, and 678 (42%) reported no aspirin use. The extrapolated rate of aspirin use in the overall population was 85%. Of 2,367 nonusers, 998 (42%, or 6% of the overall cohort) were eligible for antiplatelet agents but were not taking such therapy. Although the rate of aspirin use in this population was higher than previously reported, an estimated 6% of eligible patients were not receiving antiplatelet therapy.