RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Perceptions of Patients with Primary Nonadherence to Statin Medications
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 123
OP 131
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2021.01.200262
VO 34
IS 1
A1 Derjung M. Tarn
A1 Maureen Barrientos
A1 Mark J. Pletcher
A1 Keith Cox
A1 Jon Turner
A1 Alicia Fernandez
A1 Janice B. Schwartz
YR 2021
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/34/1/123.abstract
AB Background: Despite emphasis on efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), 13% to 34% of people never fill a prescribed statin (primary nonadherence). This study determined perceptions of adults with primary nonadherence to statins.Methods: Ten focus groups were conducted with 61 adults reporting primary nonadherence to statins (93% without known CVD). Participants were recruited from an academic medical center and nationwide Internet advertisements.Results: Major themes related to primary nonadherence were 1) desire to pursue alternatives before starting a statin (eg, diet and/or exercise, dietary supplements), 2) worry about risks and adverse effects of statins, 3) perceptions of good personal health (suggesting that a statin was not needed), and 4) doubt about the benefits of statins in the absence of disease. Additional themes included mistrust of the pharmaceutical industry, mistrust of prescribing providers, inadequate provider communication about statins, and negative prior experiences with medication. Although rare, a few patients said that high cholesterol does not require treatment if it is genetic. One third noted during focus group discussions that they did not communicate their decision not to take a statin to providers.Conclusions: Adults with primary nonadherence to statins describe seeking alternatives, avoiding perceived risks of statins, poor acceptance/understanding of CVD risk estimates, and doubts about the benefits of statins. Many do not disclose their decisions to providers, thus highlighting the need for provider awareness of the potential for primary nonadherence at the point of prescribing, and the need for future work to develop strategies to identify patients with potential primary nonadherence.