scholarly journals Adherence to Medical Treatment in Elderly Patients with Coronary Artery Disease in the Settings of Primary Outpatient Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-185
Author(s):  
S. K. Zyryanov ◽  
S. B. Fitilev ◽  
A. V. Vozzhaev ◽  
I. I. Shkrebneva ◽  
N. N. Shindryaeva ◽  
...  

Aim. To study medication adherence in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in primary care practice.Material and methods. The study conducted in out-patient clinic of Moscow city. 293 elderly (≥65 years) patients with established CAD included. The following patient data obtained via electronic medical record system: demography, medical history, modifiable risk factors and prescribed pharmacotherapy. Level of medication adherence measured by Morisky scale (MMAS-8) via telephone survey.Results. According to Morisky scale high adherence was identified in 146 (49.8%) elderly patients, moderate adherence – in 99 (33.8%) patients, low adherence – in 48 (16.4%) patients. Analysis of specific questions of the scale done in non-adherent patients revealed signs of unintentional non-adherence due to forgetfulness (45.9%) and signs of intentional non-adherence due to patients feeling worse (35.8%) or better (28.4%). By means of dichotomic interpretation of Morisky scale results the population under research was divided into two groups: 147 (50.2%) non-adherent patients and 146 (49.8%) – totally adherent patients. These groups were comparable in terms of sex (female 71.2 vs 68.0%; p>0.05) and age (median 73.5 vs 73.0 years; p>0.05) distribution, and medical history: myocardial infarction (39.0% vs 38.8%), atrial fibrillation (37.0 and 41.5%), chronic heart failure (90.4% vs 91.2%), diabetes (26.7% vs 24.5%). There were fewer smokers in adherent group (0.7% vs 6.5%; p<0.05). As primary antianginal pharmacotherapy adherent and non-adherent patients were equally prescribed beta-blockers (75.3% vs 75.5%; p>0.05). Drugs that improve prognosis were also prescribed comparably: antiplatelets (66.4% vs 61.9%; p>0.05), anticoagulants (36.3% vs 44.9%; p>0.05), statins (82.2% vs 79.6%; p>0.05), renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (89.0 and 87.8%; p>0.05). Adherent patients had lower mean values of lipids: total cholesterol (4.7±1.2 vs 5.2±1.4 mmol/l; p<0.05) and low density cholesterol (2.4±0.9 vs 2.8±1.2 mmol/l; p<0.05). Non-adherent elderly patients made more visits to general practitioner (median 5 vs 3 visits; p<0.05). Share of patients receiving drugs within supplementary pharmaceutical provision program was comparable in both groups (53.7% vs 50.7%; p>0.05).Conclusion. Half of elderly patients with CAD are non-adherent to treatment in primary care setting. Medical history and structure of pharmacotherapy do not influence level of adherence in this population. Among adherent patients fewer individuals smoke and mean values of lipids are lower. Non-adherent elderly patients cause higher load on general practitioner, supplementary pharmaceutical provision program provided no better adherence in the population under research.

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-103
Author(s):  
Sergey K. Zyryanov ◽  
Sergey B. Fitilev ◽  
Alexander V. Vozzhaev ◽  
Irina I. Shkrebniova ◽  
Natalya N Shindryaeva ◽  
...  

Introduction: Lack of research targeting non-adherence to cardiovascular medications in Russia prevents from developing effective interventions to improve adherence. The aim was to study medication adherence in patients with stable coronary artery disease in primary care. Material and methods: The study was conducted in a primary care setting of Moscow. Demography, medical history, pharmacotherapy data were obtained retrospectively from 386 coronary patients’ medical records. Medication adherence was measured by 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). A statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics V16.0. Results and discussion: According to the results from MMAS-8, 188 (48.7%) coronary patients had high medication adherence, 135 (35.0%) – moderate, and 63 (16.3%) – low. By the dichotomous interpretation: 48.7% (n = 188) – were adherent, 51.3% (n = 198) – were non-adherent. These groups were similar in gender distribution, age, and medical history profile (p &gt; 0.1 for all variables). Smokers prevailed in the non-adherent group (13.6 vs. 5.3%; p = 0.009). Both groups were equally prescribed beta-blockers, antiplatelets, and statins (p &gt; 0.1 for all). Use of fixed dose combinations (11.7 vs. 5.6%; p = 0.048) and the number of pills taken (mean 5.64 ± 1.52 vs. 5.99 ± 1.62; p = 0.029) were associated with better adherence. Higher values of total cholesterol (mean 5.2 ± 1.4 vs. 4.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L; p &lt; 0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (mean 2.9 ± 1.2 vs. 2.4 ± 0.9 mmol/L; p &lt; 0.001) were revealed in non-adherents. Subjects with suboptimal adherence visited general practitioners more frequently (median 5 vs. 3 visits; p = 0,003). Conclusion: Medication non-adherence in coronary outpatients exceeded 50%. High adherence was associated with more frequent use of fixed dose combinations and fewer pills taken by patient. Smoking and poorer control of blood lipids prevailed in non-adherents, who also caused higher load on general practitioners.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
S. V. Topolyanskaya ◽  
T. M. Kolontai ◽  
O. N. Vaculenko ◽  
L. I. Dvoretski

Modern concepts about features of diabetes mellitus in very elderly patients are described in the article. Special attention to the therapeutic methods of management of very elderly patients with diabetes mellitus has been devoted. The results of diabetes mellitus study in patients with coronary artery disease older than 75 years in comparison with younger patients are presented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kassimis ◽  
Grigoris V. Karamasis ◽  
Athanasios Katsikis ◽  
Joanna Abramik ◽  
Nestoras Kontogiannis ◽  
...  

Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of cardiovascular death in octogenarians. This group of patients represents nearly a fifth of all patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in real-world practice. Octogenarians have multiple risk factors for CAD and often greater myocardial ischemia than younger counterparts, with a potential of an increased benefit from myocardial revascularization. Despite this, octogenarians are routinely under-treated and belittled in clinical trials. Age does make a difference to PCI outcomes in older people, but it is never the sole arbiter of any clinical decision, whether in relation to the heart or any other aspect of health. The decision when to perform revascularization in elderly patients and especially in octogenarians is complex and should consider the patient on an individual basis, with clarification of the goals of the therapy and the relative risks and benefits of performing the procedure. In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), there is no upper age limit regarding urgent reperfusion and primary PCI must be the standard of care. In non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, a strict conservative strategy must be avoided; whereas the use of a routine invasive strategy may reduce the occurrence of MI and need for revascularization at follow-up, with no established benefit in terms of mortality. In stable CAD patients, invasive therapy on top of the optimal medical therapy seems better in symptom relief and quality of life. This review summarizes the available data on percutaneous revascularization in the elderly patients and particularly in octogenarians, including practical considerations on PCI risk secondary to ageing physiology. We also analyse technical difficulties met when considering PCI in this cohort and the ongoing need for further studies to ameliorate risk stratification and eventually outcomes in these challenging patients.


Author(s):  
João Batista Serro-Azul ◽  
Rogério Silva de Paula ◽  
César Gruppi ◽  
Lígia Pinto ◽  
Humberto Pierri ◽  
...  

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