Adherence to Statin Therapy and Attainment of LDL Cholesterol Goal Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Dyslipidemia

BACKGROUND: Statins are widely utilized antidyslipidemics with a proven track record of safety and efficacy. However, the efficacy of these therapeutic agents hinges on patients’ adherence to their prescribed statins. OBJECTIVE: The primary objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between adherence to prescribed statins and its impact on the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level, and to explore the factors that influence patient adherence to statins among patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia. METHODS: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study using the electronic health records data of adults (≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes and dyslipidemia visiting outpatient clinics at a university-affiliated tertiary care center. Adherence to statin therapy was estimated using the proportion of days covered (PDC). Patients with diabetes were considered adherent to statins if they had a PDC of ≥80%. Treatment success was considered if the LDL level of < 2.6 mmol/L. RESULTS: Out of 10,226 of patients with diabetes, 1532 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. Seventy-nine percent of the patients with diabetes were on atorvastatin and 21% were on simvastatin. The vast majority of the patients with diabetes (77%) were considered adherent and about 42% achieved LDL-cholesterol goal < 2.6 mmol/L. No association between adherence to statin therapy and LDL goal attainment was observed. Women had lower odds of being adherent to statin therapy (AOR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.49–0.87) compared to men. Further, young adults (18–44 years) had lower odds of being adherent to statin therapy (AOR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.32–0.97) compared to older adults (age>65 years). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study highlight the need to examine the impact of adherence to statins on healthcare services utilization due to different complications of uncontrolled dyslipidemia.