Aims: Correct execution of prescribed dosing regimen(s) is essential for patients to benefit from lipid lowering treatments. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of a pharmaceutical care program on the adherence of once-daily atorvastatin treatment in patients with elevated cholesterol levels.
Methods: In both linguistic regions of Belgium, two districts were randomized between usual care and a supportive intervention program. Eligible patients included hyperlipemic subjects taking atorvastatin for at least 3 months. 'Adherence' was defined as the proportion of days during which the electronic device record showed that the patient had taken the daily dose. 'Persistence' quantifies how long the treatment is executed.
Results: A total of 392 patients from 35 pharmacies were included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis of the data (194 patients received intervention and 198 in the control group). The intervention resulted in a 6.5% increase in post-baseline adherence (p < 0.001) mainly driven by a 13% increase in persistence at 1 year (p = 0.002).
Conclusion: A supportive pharmaceutical care program consisting of review by patient and pharmacist of each patient's electronically compiled dosing history, plus educational reminders, improves patient adherence to the once-daily atorvastatin dosing regimen, mainly by extending persistence.
Copyright 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.