Assessment of factors related to statin non-adherence in patients with established coronary artery disease: A single-center observational study

Objective: Lifelong statin treatment is recommended in patients with cardiovascular diseases, but drug adherence is a significant problem. The aim of this study was to investigate factors related to statin discontinuation in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed by coronary angiography. Methods: A total of 300 consecutive patients who were followed-up with a diagnosis of CAD were recruited. Patients were categorized as statin adherent or statin non-adherent (patients interrupting statin therapy >30 days). Study participants completed a questionnaire regarding demographic characteristics, medical history, knowledge of statin treatment, and factors related to statin discontinuation. Results: In all, 160 patients (53.3%) were found to be statin adherent. Of those, 122 patients had suffered myocardial infarction, and atorvastatin was the most prescribed statin on discharge. Among the study population, 26% were illiterate and 55% had graduated from primary school. Only 39 cases (13%) cases had a low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level