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Long-Term Adherence to Evidence Based Secondary Prevention Therapies after Acute Myocardial Infarction

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BACKGROUND

After acute myocardial infarction (AMI), treatment with beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) is widely recognized as crucial to reduce risk of a subsequent AMI. However, many patients fail to consistently remain on these treatments over time, and long-term adherence has not been well described.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the duration of treatment with beta-blockers and ACEI within the 24 months after an AMI.

DESIGN

A retrospective, observational study using medical and pharmacy claims from a large health plan operating in the Northeastern United States.

SUBJECTS

Enrollees with an inpatient claim for AMI who initiated beta-blocker (N = 499) or ACEI (N = 526) therapy.

MEASUREMENT

Time from initiation to discontinuation was measured with pharmacy refill records. Associations between therapy discontinuation and potential predictors were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

ACEI discontinuation rates were high: 7% stopped within 1 month, 22% at 6 months, 32% at 1 year and 50% at 2 years. Overall discontinuation rates for beta-blockers were similar, but predictors of discontinuation differed for the two treatment types. For beta-blockers, the risk of discontinuation was highest among males and those from low-income neighborhoods; patients with comorbid hypertension and peripheral vascular disease were less likely to discontinue therapy. These factors were not associated with ACEI discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

Many patients initiating evidence-based secondary prevention therapies after an AMI fail to consistently remain on these treatments. Adherence is a priority area for development of better-quality measures and quality-improvement interventions. Barriers to beta-blocker adherence for low-income populations need particular attention.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported in part through Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grants U18-HS016097 and R24 HS011825; a grant by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; and an Academic Excellence Center grant funded by Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

Conflicts of Interest

John Bowblis owns stocks of Glaxosmithkline and Pfizer; and is currently doing consulting for Glaxosmithkline. Stephen Crystal owns stocks of Johnson and Johnson, Bristol Myers Squibb, Lilly, and Merck and received honorarium for a lecture from Johnson and Johnson. The other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

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Correspondence to Ayse Akincigil Ph.D..

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Akincigil, A., Bowblis, J.R., Levin, C. et al. Long-Term Adherence to Evidence Based Secondary Prevention Therapies after Acute Myocardial Infarction. J GEN INTERN MED 23, 115–121 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0351-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-007-0351-9

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