Low Household Income And Medication Co-Pays Are Associated With Higher Risk Of Anticipated Medication Nonadherence In A Cross-Section Of Admitted Stroke Patients

Objectives: Successful secondary stroke prevention is dependent on medication adherence. However, medication non-adherence can be highly variable and results in suboptimal management of risk factors. Our aim was to determine patient-specific barriers to anticipated medication adherence. Methods: We surveyed patients admitted to a large tertiary hospital with a diagnosis of stroke or TIA from September 2012 to June 2014. Participants were asked: “Are you likely to skip medication doses if you do not believe that the medication will improve your health in the long run?” “Yes” or “maybe” responses were coded as anticipated non-adherence; and “no” was coded as anticipated adherence. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed on demographic characteristics including socioeconomic status (SES) to determine risk factors associated with anticipated non-adherence. Results: A total of 123 patients were surveyed; mean age 63 (+/-16), 51.2% women, and 71.5% white. Participants with antic...