A Cross Sectional Analytical Study on Adherence and Persistence of Continuing Secondary Preventive Medicines for Stroke at the End of 3 Months in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India

Abstract

Prevalence of stroke in India is 90-222/100000 population. It causes so much morbidity to patient and family. Several classes of drugs are effective in preventing stroke recurrence by modifying the risk factors. There is limited data on long-term use of secondary prevention medications following stroke. Persistence is dened as the continuation of all medications patient was last prescribed at the end of 3 months. Adherence is dened as taking modied medications as per needs as per doctor's advice. A Methodology: ll patients with stroke both is chaemic and haemorrhagic and age more than 18 years , sustained in the one year when study is conducted as from the records of neurology department and attending the department for follow up are taken for study. A semi structured interview is done with them or their care givers to get information on their background characteristics, aetiology of stroke, comorbidities, cost of medication and affordability, various classes of medications administered and whether they are persistent in taking drugs, are they adherent to drugs, if not adherent/persistent ,reason for the same by open ended questions. A total of 260 patients were included, mean age was 58.5 years. Result: 78.5% had 3-month persistence and 3 month adherence 35.6%. Independent predictors of 3 month medication persistence included age more than 60 years, marital status, fewer medications prescribed at discharge and patients taking anti hypertensives . Most common reason for non-persistence was because the patients did not know why medication is being taken by them. Various factors play a role in persistence and adherenc Conclusion: e of medications in stroke. A multifactorial intervention including patient and health care providers are warranted, because of morbidity and mortality associated with every episode of stroke.