Higher long-term adherence to statins in rural patients at high atherosclerotic risk

Abstract

Background: Rural patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) experience greater cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than their urban counterparts. Statin therapy is a key component of ASCVD treatment. The extent to which there may be regional differences in long-term adherence to statins is unknown. Objective: To assess long-term rates of adherence to statins in a high-risk ASCVD cohort, and whether regional differences exist between rural and urban patients. Methods: Follow-up was conducted in patients who underwent coronary angiography at a single tertiary center between 2009 and 2013. Adherence was defined as consumption of prescribed statin ≥6 days per week. Patients..