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Optimized Management of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke
Published on: January 18, 2018
Medication compliance in ischaemic stroke patients
C Johnson1, H Lane, P A Barber
1Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
Internal Medicine Journal
|March 11, 2010
Summary
Patient medication compliance after ischaemic stroke was high, with 87-100% adherence to prescribed secondary prevention drugs at 6 weeks and 6 months. This suggests effective stroke nurse counselling and information packs improve medication adherence.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Ischaemic stroke requires long-term medication for secondary prevention.
- Patient compliance with these medications is crucial for reducing recurrence and improving outcomes.
- Assessing adherence and concordance with healthcare provider records is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient compliance with medications prescribed at hospital discharge following ischaemic stroke.
- To determine the concordance between self-reported medication use and general practitioner (GP) records.
- To identify factors influencing medication adherence in stroke survivors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study utilizing the Auckland City Hospital Stroke database.
- Consecutive ischaemic stroke patients were identified over a three-month period.
- Telephone questionnaires assessed self-reported medication use at 6 weeks and 6 months post-discharge; GP records were also obtained.
Main Results:
- High compliance rates were observed: 87-100% at 6 weeks and 6 months for key medications including aspirin, dipyridamole, warfarin, statins, antihypertensives, and diabetes medications.
- Concordance between patient reports and GP records was not explicitly detailed but implied by the compliance figures.
- Use of natural remedies was reported by 21-23%, and blister packs by 11-17% of patients.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to secondary stroke prevention medication is high (87-100%) at both 6 weeks and 6 months post-discharge.
- Intensive patient education, such as one-on-one stroke nurse counselling and information packs, may contribute to these favorable compliance rates.
- These findings underscore the importance of patient support and education in maintaining long-term medication adherence for stroke survivors.
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