Early studies suggested that up to 46% of people who take statins do not respond to therapy, leaving them at high risk of cardiovascular events..

Much depends on the compliance of patients, that is, adherence to treatment..

A new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) uncovers all the lifestyle factors that may influence a patient's adherence to statin therapy..

Statins are a group of drugs that are most commonly used to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke) in the long term.. They block the enzyme that is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the liver..

According to the research team of Dr. Heli Halava from the Department of Public Health and Pharmacology at the University of Turku in Finland, approximately 1 in 10 cardiovascular events today is due to the patient not responding well to statin therapy or not adhering to the treatment regimen..

In the latest study, scientists wanted to find out how certain lifestyle factors can influence an individual's response to statin therapy..

Body weight and smoking are the most important factors.

The team analyzed data from 11,949 people who participated in the Finnish Public Sector Study. All participants started statin therapy between 1998 and 2010. Of these, 9,285 completed lifestyle questionnaires before starting drug treatment.. They were included in the analysis..

The results showed that people who were neither overweight nor had a history of cardiovascular disease, and who had never smoked, benefited less from statin therapy than ex-smokers and overweight individuals..

Dr. Halava says it comes as no surprise to her that individuals with cardiovascular disease respond better to statin therapy and are more adherent to treatment: “Because such people are well aware of the increased risk and consequences of cardiovascular events, they are more adherent to treatment.”.

The least compliance, as the study showed, is typical for single people, women and young and middle-aged people (24-50 years old).

Further more. The team found that among people with cardiovascular disease, those who abused alcohol were the least adherent to statin therapy.. This means that this group is at the greatest risk..

Scientists have suggested that people who are not indifferent to alcohol may avoid taking drugs due to a possible toxic interaction with alcohol.. The second option is that they simply pay less attention to their health and do not try to follow the advice of a doctor..

Commenting on the results, the researchers say:

“As it turned out, overweight, obesity and smoking are factors that determine the high adherence of patients to statin therapy.. The mechanisms of such a connection are not fully understood - this is a subject for further research..

At the beginning of 2014, the American journal JAMA published new data, according to which official recommendations for the use of statins differ greatly in the European Union and the United States.. This could mean that millions of people today are not receiving optimal treatment..

medbe. en.