Mefford MT, et al. - Experts assessed the percentage of adults who were willing to re-initiate statin therapy following treatment discontinuation. They also evaluated the factors related to the willingness to re-initiate a statin. Willingness to re-initiate statin therapy was noted in a substantial proportion of participants who discontinued the therapy, and it ought to be discussed by healthcare providers with their patients who discontinued treatment.

Methods

• Researchers administered a statin questionnaire and conducted a study examination among black and white US adults enrolled in the nationwide REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study between 2013 and 2017.

Results

• Among those who self-reported having ever taken a statin (n=7,216, mean age 72 years, 53% women, 34% black), 1,081 (15%) reported having discontinued treatment.
• Among those who discontinued treatment, 66%, 31%, and 3% of participants, respectively, reported statin side effects, perceived lack of need for a statin, and cost.
• Of those who had discontinued treatment, 37% were willing to re-initiate statin therapy.
• Authors noted a greater willingness to re-initiate therapy in those who discontinued treatment due to cost (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01, 2.57).
• They found that participants with a low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ≥130 mg/dL vs <100 mg/dL (PR 0.69; 95%CI 0.53, 0. 88) and who discontinued treatment due to side effects (PR 0.51; 95%CI 0.41, 0.64) were less willing to re-initiate statin therapy.