Aim: The aims of this study were to explore factors that influence initiation and continuation of statin therapy. Patients & methods: Mixed-method design employed with 73 patients completing surveys and 14 patients participating in semi-structured interviews. Results: When lower total cholesterol is achieved, patients' views are favorable while views of statin therapy diminish among those with higher total cholesterol values. All patients are concerned with adverse events including the potential for developing diabetes. However, overall patients believe the benefits of statins outweigh the risk of diabetes. Conclusion: Barriers remain that prevent patients from achieving cholesterol goals and maintaining or initiating statin therapy. Effective strategies to provide accurate information about the risks and benefits of statin therapy, and implementation of shared decision-making to improve medication adherence and persistence are needed.
Keywords: cardiovascular disease; lipids; mixed methods; new onset diabetes mellitus; patient attitudes; statins.
The statin medications are commonly prescribed agents used to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks. Although these medications are prescribed often, researchers and clinicians have limited understanding regarding the influences involving patients' decision to start or stop a statin. This study was conducted to gain insight on patients' beliefs and attitudes involving statin therapy. We observed that when patients' had lower cholesterol values, favorable views of statins were more common, while views became less favorable when cholesterol levels were higher. All patients were concerned about statin-associated side effects; but overall believed that the benefits of statins outweighed the risks. It is essential that patients' are provided accurate information from their healthcare team regarding the advantages and disadvantages of statin therapy. Such discussions may allow patients to make more informed decisions and help with continuing a statin long term.