Non-persistence in ischaemic stroke: Risk of recurrent vascular events

Ischaemic stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Although the secondary preventive medication should be continued for life, its use commonly declines in time. This may lead to recurrent vascular events. In this study, we investigated if during a long follow-up period discontinuation of medication (non-persistence) in real life ischaemic stroke patients increased the risk of recurrent vascular events.

This was a retrospective cohort study with the data retrieved from a database and the original patient records. The occurrence of new vascular events was determined from the electronic medical record. Medication use at time of follow-up was ascertained using the pharmacy-link in the electronic medical file and through a telephone interview. Primary endpoint was recurrent vascular events. Patients with two or more vascular risk factors were considered as having a high-risk profile.

A total of 286 patients (persistent n = 182 and non-persistent n = 104) were included. After median follow-up period of 5½ years in the persistent group 14.8% had a recurrent vascular event, vs 23.1% in the non-persistent group (P = .801). In the patients with a high-risk profile, the persistent group had significantly less recurrent vascular events than the non-persistent group (23.5% against 46.4% P = .021).

After a long follow-up period, ischaemic stroke patients with a high vascular risk profile who stopped taking their secondary preventive medication had an increased risk of a recurrent vascular events.