The impact of different preventive counseling programs on medication adherence in patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Poor medication adherence is a major contributor to suboptimal health outcomes and increased costs in cardiovascular (CV) diseases including atrial fibrillation (AF). Purpose To assess the impact of different preventive counseling programs on medication adherence in AF patients (pts) after catheter ablation (CA). Methods A prospective randomized controlled study with 3 parallel groups of pts with paroxysmal AF after CA (radiofrequency or cryoablation). Pts were randomized (1:1:1) into 3 groups. Before discharge, pts from all groups received 1 preventive counseling session with focus on their individual risk factors profile. After discharge both intervention groups received 6 sessions of biweekly remote preventive counseling by phone (Group 1) or via email(Group 2) for 3 months after enrollment. Group 3 received usual care. Medication adherence was assessed using the 4-item Morisky-Green scale at baseline and at 12 months. Results A total of 135 pts aged 35 to 80 years were enrolled (mean age, 57.3 ± 9.1 years, men, 51.8%). The groups were well balanced according to demographic and clinical features. Baseline levels of non-adherenсe and partial adherence were high in all groups (53.4%, 71.1% and 73.3% respectively). At 1 year of follow-up pts from both intervention groups demonstrated a significant improvement of medication adherence vs control (table). Conclusions Preventive counseling programs with remote support via phone or e-mail improve medication adherence in AF pts after CA. Мedication adherence 1 group (support via phone) 2 group (support via e-mail) Control group P for Group 1 vs. control at 12 months P for Group 2 vs. control at 12 months Baseline After 12 months Baseline After 12 months Baseline After 12 months Adherence,% 46.7 60 28.9 60 26.7 31.1 <0.01 <0.01 Partial adherence ,% 17.8 20 31.1 20 24.4 33.3 n/s n/s Non-adherence,% 35.6 60 40 20 48.9 35.6 n/s n/s