A comparison of two methods for estimating refill adherence to statins in Sweden: the RARE project

• Purpose To analyse and compare refill adherence to statins estimated with two different methods with a focus on sensitivity to definitions. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanMethods Individuals aged 18-85 years who filled a statin prescription for the first time in 1.5 years during 1 January-30 June 2007 were followed until emigration or death or until 2 years after their first statin purchase. The data were collected via linkage between the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, the National Patient Register and the Total Population Register. Days supply was estimated based on amount dispensed and prescribed dosage. Refill adherence was estimated with the continuous measure of medication acquisition (CMA) and the maximum gap method (cut-off 45days). The impact of altering definitions, for example, regarding hospitalisations, length of observation period and management of overlapping supply, was analysed. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanResults The study included 36661 individuals (mean age 64 years, 47% women). The median proportion of days with statins was 95%, and 76% were classified as adherent with a cut-off at andgt;= 80% with CMA. With the maximum gap method, 65% were adherent. Disregarding hospitalisations did not alter the results. Emigration or death at least one year after statin initiation was associated with a lower adherence with both methods, and a shorter observation period and adding overlapping supply to the subsequent prescription increased the adherence estimates. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanConclusions The choice of method and definitions, particularly regarding the management of overlapping supplies and the length of observation period, has a substantial impact on estimates of refill adherence to statins.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Samhällsfarmaci och klinisk farmaci (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Social and Clinical Pharmacy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

medication adherence

drug utilisation

Swedish Prescribed Drug Register

statins

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

medication adherence; drug utilisation; Swedish Prescribed Drug Register; statins

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)