Factors Related to Suboptimal Adherence to Dyslipidemia Medication: An Exploration Using Nationally Representative...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Pharmacoeconomics

Background:

• Dyslipidemia is a prevalent chronic condition with significant treatment challenges.
• Suboptimal medication adherence remains a persistent issue in managing dyslipidemia.
• Limited research exists on factors contributing to poor adherence in dyslipidemia treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify clinical variables associated with suboptimal adherence to dyslipidemia medications.
• To explore demographic and clinical factors influencing medication adherence.
• To understand patient-reported reasons for non-adherence.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2021) and Korea Health Panel Survey (2018).
• Applied complex sampling analysis for national population representative estimates.
• Employed multivariable-adjusted logistic regression to identify factors associated with suboptimal adherence.

Main Results:

• 5.7% of the study population exhibited suboptimal adherence to dyslipidemia medications.
• Factors associated with reduced adherence included older age, longer duration since diagnosis, and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, ischemic heart disease, depression).
• Sex-specific differences were observed, with depression, ischemic heart disease, and elevated hemoglobin impacting adherence differently. Common reasons for non-adherence were forgetting, symptom improvement, and health risk concerns.

Conclusions:

• Identified key clinical factors and patient-reported reasons for suboptimal adherence in dyslipidemia treatment.
• Highlighted significant differences in adherence factors between sexes and across the general population.
• Emphasized the necessity for tailored interventions to improve adherence and optimize lipid management outcomes.