Determinants of non-compliance with lipid-lowering therapy in hyperlipidemic patients

Purpose In order to assess the determinants of non-compliance with a lipid-lowering therapy, a prospective study of the hyperlipidemic Korean subjects was carried out. Methods A total of 1019 patients was observed by 46 family physicians for the period of 1 year from January 1999 to January 2000. To ascertain the compliance associated with a lipid lowering drug (Simvastatin), we regularly followed up the hyperlipidemic patients at intervals of 4, 12 and 24 weeks. The criterion for evaluating compliance is to measure clinic attendance. Using a structured questionnaire, patients and physicians were asked about risk factors for the compliance. Results During the first 24 weeks of treatment, the lipid-lowering medication was continued by 52.3% and discontinued by 19.7%. The remaining 28% dropped out. Patient-related factors for non-compliance were young age, current smoker, lack of low fat diet and exercise, new user, no concomitant medication, and occurrence of adverse reactions. Physician-related factors for non-compliance were low patients' satisfaction with the physician, small number of hyperlipidemic patients per month and working in a relatively small hospital. Conclusions Compliance with the lipid-lowering therapy was relatively low and several factors for non-compliance were detected. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.