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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Acute Myocardial Infarction in Rats
Published on: February 16, 2011
Medication Adherence In Post Myocardial Infarction Patients
Saba Hussain1, Syed Zahid Jamal1, Faisal Qadir1
1National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Medication non-adherence after myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant issue, with adherence dropping from 45% at 7 days to 19% at 3 months. Forgetfulness and poor understanding were key reasons for non-adherence.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Medication non-adherence post-acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a global health concern.
- It leads to increased morbidity and mortality.
- This issue is understudied in many regions, necessitating local investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and burden of medication non-adherence in patients after myocardial infarction.
- To identify factors associated with medication adherence in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 315 patients post-first myocardial infarction (MI).
- Data collected on baseline characteristics and medications at discharge.
- Medication adherence assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale at 7 days, 1 month, and 3 months post-discharge.
Main Results:
- Adherence decreased significantly from 45% at 7 days to 19% at 3 months post-MI (p<0.001).
- High income, male gender, and having a partner were associated with higher adherence.
- Forgetfulness and poor understanding of medications were the most common reasons for non-adherence.
Conclusions:
- Medication adherence in post-MI patients is suboptimal.
- Multiple factors contribute to non-adherence, including forgetfulness and lack of understanding.
- Addressing these factors may improve patient adherence and long-term outcomes.
Background:
Medication non-adherence after acute myocardial infarction is a global problem causing increased morbidity and mortality. This multifaceted problem has not been well studied in our part of the world. Our study aimed to determine the burden of medication non-adherence in post myocardial infarction patients.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted at National Institute of Cardiovascular disease, Karachi, from December 2016 to June 2017. A total of 350 patients were included at the time of discharge after their first myocardial infarction (MI) of which follow up was completed for 315 patients. Baseline characteristics and discharged drug data were collected for each individual. Patients were called at 7th day, 1 and 3months post discharge and were assessed for the medication adherence using Morisky medication adherence scale. They were stratified accordingly into self-reported high, moderate and low groups. Chi- square test was used to determine significant relationship between variables. The level of significance was set at level of p-value ≤0.05.
Results:
Among 315 patients, only 45% patients were adherent to prescribed drugs at 7th day follow up and the adherence further reduces to 19% at 3rd post MI month (p-value <0.001). High income, male gender, and presence of partner persistently showed significantly higher medication adherence. Factors like younger age, addiction and advance education showed higher adherence only in early follow up periods. However, presence of comorbidities, intervention and specific diagnosis had no significant impact. The most common stated reasons for non-adherence were forgetfulness and poor understanding of drugs.
Conclusions:
Adherence to prescribed medication in post myocardial infarction patients was found to be strikingly suboptimal, contributed by multiple factors. Modification of these factors would likely improve patient adherence to medication and eventually long-term outcome.
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