Factors Related to Adherence with Treatment of Dyslipidemic Patients on Continuous Use of Oral Lipid-Lowering Drugs

Abstract

Several studies have shown that regular prescribed statins may reduce cardiovascular events and decrease the overall mortality. The aim of this study was to analyze factors related to medication and patients with dyslipidemia, statin users in the city of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. It was an observational, descriptive, traverse character, relating to the year 2007. We included 332 individuals, randomly selected, of both sexes, referred to public health system and private clinics. The selected individuals were submitted to an interview and their medical files analyzed. Simvastatin was the most frequently used oral lipid-lowering drugs. 60% of patients showed forgetfulness as the main cause for treatment interruption, followed by the difficulty of finding of drugs in public pharmacies. Adherence to diet was the main conduct adopted by patients to help control lipid levels. The prevalent adverse events were muscle cramps, paresthesias of the limbs and muscle pains. Among the key factors that would discourage the correct follow-up treatment for lipid control were: long wait for office visits and the difficulties of finding of drugs in pharmacies (Clinical Hospital of the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto-USP and public health posts). The study allowed a reflection regarding the functioning of the Public Health System. The study allows a reflection regarding the functioning of the Public Health System for which we must constantly search for strategies that enable the same functionality, which has factors that discourage patient adherence to treatment.