scholarly journals Pharmacist Intervention to Improve Medication Adherence in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The PRIMA-ACS Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather L Neville ◽  
Kelsey Mann ◽  
Jessica Killen ◽  
Michael Callaghan

Background: Despite ample evidence of benefit, adherence to secondary prevention medication therapy after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is often suboptimal. Hospital pharmacists are uniquely positioned to improve adherence by providing medication education at discharge. Objective: To determine whether a standardized counselling intervention at hospital discharge significantly improved patients’ adherence to cardiovascular medications following ACS. Methods: This single-centre, prospective, nonrandomized comparative study enrolled patients with a primary diagnosis of ACS (January 2014 to July 2015). Patients who received standardized discharge counselling from a clinical pharmacist were compared with patients who did not receive counselling. At 30 days and 1 year after discharge, follow-up patient surveys were conducted and community pharmacy refill data were obtained. Adherence was assessed using pharmacy refill data and patient self-reporting for 5 targeted medications: acetylsalicylic acid, P2Y purinoceptor 12 (P2Y12) inhibitors, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, β-blockers, and statins. Thirty-day and 1-year medication utilization, cardiovascular readmission rates, and all-cause mortality were also assessed. Results: Of the 259 patients enrolled, 88 (34.0%) received discharge counselling. Medication data were obtained for 253 patients (97.7%) at 30 days and 242 patients (93.4%) at 1 year. At 1 year after discharge, there were no statistically significant differences between patients who did and did not receive counselling in terms of rates of nonadherence (11.9% versus 18.4%, p = 0.19), cardiovascular readmission (17.6% versus 22.3%, p = 0.42), and all-cause mortality (3.4% versus 4.2%, p > 0.99). Overall medication nonadherence was 2.8% (7/253) at 30 days and 16.1% (39/242) at 1 year. Conclusions: Discharge medication counselling provided by hospital pharmacists after ACS was not associated with significantly better medication adherence at 1 year. Higher-quality evidence is needed to determine the most effective and practical interventions to ensure that patients adhere to their medication regimens and achieve positive outcomes after ACS. RÉSUMÉ Contexte : Malgré l’abondance de preuves démontrant ses avantages, l’adhésion à la pharmacothérapie de prévention secondaire après les syndromes coronariens aigus (SCA) est souvent « sous-optimale ». Les pharmaciens d’hôpitaux occupent une place unique pour améliorer l’adhésion en expliquant au patient l’usage des médicaments au moment du congé hospitalier. Objectif : Déterminer si une consultation standardisée au moment du congé hospitalier améliore significativement ou non l’adhésion à la pharmacothérapie cardiovasculaire après les SCA. Méthodes : Des patients ayant reçu un diagnostic primaire de SCA (de janvier 2014 à juillet 2015) ont été inscrits pour participer à cette étude comparative unicentrique prospective et non randomisée. Ceux ayant bénéficié d’une consultation standardisée par un pharmacien clinicien au moment du congé ont été comparés aux patients qui n’en n’avaient pas reçu. Trente jours et un an après le congé, des enquêtes de suivi du patient ont été menées et les données de renouvellement d’ordonnance des pharmacies communautaires ont été recueillies. L’adhésion a été évaluée à l’aide des données de renouvellement d’ordonnance et celles rapportées par le patient pour cinq médicaments ciblés : l’acide acétylsalicylique, les inhibiteurs P2Y purinoceptor 12 (P2Y12), les inhibiteurs de l’enzyme de conversion de l’angiotensine ou les antagonistes des récepteurs de l’angiotensine II, les antagonistes β et les statines. L’utilisation des médicaments à 30 jours et à un an, le taux de réadmission en raison d’un trouble cardiovasculaire et le taux de mortalité toutes causes confondues ont également fait l’objet d’une évaluation. Résultats : Sur les 259 patients inscrits, 88 (34 %) ont bénéficié d’une consultation au moment du congé. Des données concernant la médication de 253 patients ont été obtenues (97,7 %) à 30 jours et pour 242 patients (93,4 %) à un an. Un an après le congé, aucune différence statistique significative n’a été observée entre les patients ayant reçu ou non une consultation concernant la non-adhésion (11,9 % contre 18,4 %, p = 0,19), la réadmission en raison d’un trouble cardiovasculaire (17,6 % contre 22,3 %, p = 0,42), et le taux de mortalité toutes causes confondues (3,4 % contre 4,2 %, p > 0,99). La non-adhésion aux médicaments de manière générale se montait à 2,8 % (7/253) à 30 jours et à 16,1 % (39/242) à un an. Conclusions : La consultation concernant la médication donnée par les pharmaciens d’hôpitaux au moment du congé après les SCA n’était pas associée à un meilleur suivi de la médication un an plus tard. Des données probantes de meilleure qualité sont nécessaires pour déterminer les interventions les plus efficaces et pratiques pour que les patients adhèrent à leur régime médicamenteux et qu’ils obtiennent des résultats positifs après les SCA.

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e019463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara K Chow ◽  
Aravinda Thiagalingam ◽  
Karla Santo ◽  
Cindy Kok ◽  
Jay Thakkar ◽  
...  

BackgroundIdentifying simple, low-cost and scalable means of supporting lifestyle change and medication adherence for patients following a cardiovascular (CV) event is important.ObjectiveThe TEXTMEDS (TEXT messages to improve MEDication adherence and Secondary prevention) study aims to investigate whether a cardiac education and support programme sent via mobile phone text message improves medication adherence and risk factor levels in patients following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Study designA single-blind, multicentre, randomised clinical trial of 1400 patients after an ACS with 12 months follow-up. The intervention group will receive multiple weekly text messages that provide information, motivation, support to adhere to medications, quit smoking (if relevant) and recommendations for healthy diet and exercise. The primary endpoint is the percentage of patients who are adherent to cardioprotective medications and the key secondary outcomes are mean systolic blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Secondary outcomes will also include total cholesterol, mean diastolic BP, the percentage of participants who are adherent to each cardioprotective medication class, the percentage of participants who achieve target levels of CV risk factors, major vascular events, hospital readmissions and all-cause mortality. The study will be augmented by formal economic and process evaluations to assess acceptability, utility and cost-effectiveness.SummaryThe study will provide multicentre randomised trial evidence of the effects of a text message-based programme on cardioprotective medication adherence and levels of CV risk factors.Ethics and disseminationPrimary ethics approval was received from Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC2012/12/4.1 (3648) AU RED HREC/13/WMEAD/15). Results will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12613000793718; Pre-results.


Author(s):  
Katherine M Fagan ◽  
Anne Lambert-Kerzner ◽  
Evan P Carey ◽  
Eric J Del Giacco ◽  
Renee Mihalko-Corbitt ◽  
...  

Background: Prior studies have shown that depression may be associated with longitudinal medication non-adherence for patients with chronic cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about depression and medication adherence following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization. Our objective was to assess whether depression was associated with longitudinal medication adherence following ACS among Veterans enrolled in a clinical trial designed to improve medication adherence. Methods: Patients included in the current analysis were enrolled in the MEDICATION study, which tested a multifaceted intervention versus usual care to improve medication adherence in the year following ACS hospitalization at 4 VA Medical Centers. Depression was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) prior to hospital discharge based on a score of ≥10. Medication adherence was assessed for 4 classes of cardioprotective medications (Statins, ACEI/ARBs, Clopidogrel, and Beta Blockers) in the 12-months following hospital discharge using pharmacy refill data. A proportion of days covered (PDC) was calculated based on the 4 classes of medications, and adherent patients were categorized based on a PDC ≥0.80. Then, we assessed the association between depression and medication adherence in the year after ACS hospitalization. Results: Of the 241 patients, the average age was 63.9 years, mean BMI was 30.9 kg/m 2 , and they had a number of comorbidities: 45.2% had diabetes and 65.6% had a history of coronary artery disease. The mean PHQ-9 score was 8.2 and 35.4% had depression (PHQ≥10) prior to discharge, with no difference in the prevalence of depression between treatment groups. In the year after ACS hospitalization, the mean PDC was 0.90 for all patients and there was no difference between depressed (PDC=0.91) and non-depressed patients (PDC=0.90). Among patients in the usual care group, there was also no difference in adherence between depressed (PDC=0.88) and non-depressed (PDC=0.86) patients. Conclusions: In this cohort of patients enrolled in a clinical trial, depression was present in 1 out of 3 patients during ACS hospitalization but not associated with medication adherence in the year after hospital discharge. A potential explanation for the lack of association between depression and adherence may be related to the overall high adherence rates found in the MEDICATION study. It will be important to assess whether depression is a marker of medication non-adherence in other ACS cohorts.


2013 ◽  
Vol 167 (5) ◽  
pp. 2325-2326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emad Abu-Assi ◽  
Pamela Lear ◽  
Pilar Cabanas-Grandío ◽  
Mar Rodríguez-Girondo ◽  
Sergio Raposeiras-Roubin ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Kelty B Fehling ◽  
Anne Lambert-Kerzner ◽  
Ryan Davis ◽  
Jennifer Weaver ◽  
Casey Barnett ◽  
...  

Background: Despite the success of pharmacist-led interventions to improve medication adherence, pharmacists’ perspectives of these interventions are unknown. Our objective was to understand the pharmacists’ perspectives of a successful multifaceted intervention to improve medication adherence after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization. Methods: We ascertained pharmacist perspectives’ through qualitative inquiry that included an open-ended survey, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group with the four pharmacists who participated in the intervention. Transcripts of surveys and interviews were analyzed using a content analysis approach. The intervention components included: 1) patient education; 2) assessment tools for potential medication adherence barriers; 3) collaborative care; and 4) automated medication refill reminders and educational messages. Pharmacists’ perspectives on each of these components were evaluated. Results: The pharmacists felt the intervention could be sustained in routine clinical care and identified key themes that facilitated intervention success. Pharmacists believed educating patients about their cardiovascular medications filled a gap in usual care. In addition, assessment tools that identified medication discrepancies and gaps in knowledge were helpful in tailoring patient education, while face-to-face conversations were more helpful in identifying mental and cognitive deficits that were barriers to adherence. Pharmacists also noted that the intervention led to the development of bi-directional relationships with patients through increased in-person and tele-health communication. As a result, poor adherence related to medication side effects was more readily addressed. Potential areas for improvement identified by the pharmacists included 1) emphasizing in-person visits to build relationships (begin the educational process while the patient is hospitalized and schedule both the follow-up clinic appointment and pharmacy visit at the same time); 2) utilizing the patient centered medical home concept to improve access to providers; 3) allowing sites to determine provider type to support the personal contact (i.e. pharmacist, nurse practitioner, registered nurse); and 4) employing interactive voice response (IVR) technology to facilitate communication. Conclusions: Pharmacists’ perspectives of a medication adherence intervention gave insights into reasons for the intervention success and suggestions for improvements and dissemination. We found that in-person meetings between pharmacists and patients led to bi-directional conversations and relationships with providers, which positively influenced patient adherence behavior. Future interventions designed to improve medication adherence should incorporate these pharmacist-identified factors.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Partha Sardar ◽  
Ramez Nairooz ◽  
Saurav Chatterjee ◽  
Jacob A Udell ◽  
Dharam J Kumbhani ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hyperglycemia is associated with unfavorable prognosis in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies with intensive glycemic control in ACS patients have provided inconsistent results. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intensive glycemic control in patients with ACS. Methods: Search of PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, EBSCO, Web of Science and CINAHL databases from their inception through April 2014, identifying randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of intensive versus standard glucose management in patients with ACS. We calculated summary random-effect odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Results from 10 RCTs comprising 2,621 patients were analyzed. All-cause mortality between intensive versus standard glucose management groups did not differ significantly (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.75-1.34). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the comparator groups for the odds of cardiac mortality (OR 0.87, 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.12), recurrent myocardial infarction (OR 1.07, 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.52), or stroke (OR 1.20, 95% CI, 0.60 to 2.40). The risk of hypoglycemia (OR 5.95, 95% CI, 2.73 to 12.97; p<0.001) was significantly higher with intensive compared with standard glucose management. Conclusions: Intensive glucose control compared with standard care in ACS patients did not reduce mortality or morbidity, but significantly increased the risk of hypoglycemia. These data from prior clinical trials should be interpreted in the context of their significant methodological limitations.


Author(s):  
Ahmad Hazem ◽  
Sunita Sharma ◽  
Amit Sharma ◽  
Cameron Leitch ◽  
Roopalakshmi Sharadanant ◽  
...  

Importance: Up to 10% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have right bundle branch block (RBBB), and RBBB has been associated with a higher risk of mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the prognostic significance of RBBB for patients with AMI. Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) Data Sources: We have systematically searched Ovid, Scopus and Web of Science through January 2014. Study Selection: Reviewers working independently and in duplicate screened all eligible abstracts, selecting studies that described all-cause mortality or cardiovascular death in patients with RBBB and suspected ACS. We excluded studies that reported unadjusted outcomes. Knowledge synthesis: We pooled risk ratio with hazard ratio in studies reporting those outcomes. When reported, odds ratio was converted into risk ratio using reported event rate in each study’s unexposed -read: non RBBB- group. Main Outcomes: All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality (death). Results: Eighteen studies were found that reported eligible data. All were observational studies, involving over 89,000 patients. In short-term follow up (up to 30 days), RBBB on presentation was associated with higher all-cause mortality rate, compared to patients without RBBB (RR 2.23, 95% CI 1.76-2.82). There was a trend for higher mortality at long-term follow up (range: 6 months-16 years) that did not reach statistical significance (RR 1.45, 95% CI 0.93-2.25). Figure-1 demonstrates the forest plot. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale and majority of included studied were deemed moderate to high quality. Conclusion and Relevance: RBBB is associated with a more than 2-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality in patients with AMI at 30 days follow up. Patients with AMI and RBBB represent a high risk group for adverse outcomes. A sentence on the differential findings for new vs. old RBBB and association with outcomes could follow here.


Heart Asia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e011142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rugheed Ghadban ◽  
Tariq Enezate ◽  
Joshua Payne ◽  
Haytham Allaham ◽  
Ahmad Halawa ◽  
...  

BackgroundMorphine is widely used for pain control in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Several studies have questioned the safety of morphine in this setting with a concern of interaction with and reduced efficacy of antiplatelet agents.ObjectiveThis study aims to systematically review the safety of morphine use in ACS.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were queried from inception through April 2018. Studies comparing morphine to nonmorphine use in ACS were included. Study endpoints included: in-hospital myocardial infarction (MI), all-cause mortality, stroke, major bleeding, minor bleeding and dyspnoea.ResultsA total of 64 323 patients with ACS were included from eight studies, seven of which were observational studies and one was a randomised controlled trial. The use of morphine was associated with increased risk of in-hospital recurrent MI (OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.43, p < 0.00001). There was, however, no significant difference in terms of all-cause mortality (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.22, p = 0.44), stroke (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.66, p = 0.57), major bleeding (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.00, p = 0.05), minor bleeding (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.41 to 2.34, p = 0.97), or dyspnoea (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.83, p = 0.33).ConclusionThe use of morphine for pain control in ACS was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital recurrent MI. Randomised clinical trials are needed to further investigate the safety of morphine in ACS.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document