• James T Reston, Andrew Buelt, Mark P Donahue, Brian Neubauer, Elena Vagichev, and Kristy McShea.
• ECRI, Center for Clinical Evidence and Guidelines, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania (J.T.R.).
• Ann. Intern. Med. 2020 Nov 17; 173 (10): 806-812.

BackgroundStrategies to improve patients' tolerance of and adherence to statins may enhance the effectiveness of dyslipidemia treatment in those at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).PurposeTo assess the benefits and harms of interventions to improve statin adherence in patients at risk for CVD.Data SourcesMEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library from December 2013 through May 2019 (English language only).Study SelectionSystematic reviews (SRs), randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and cohort studies that addressed interventions for improving statin tolerance and adherence.Data ExtractionOne investigator abstracted data and assessed study quality, and a second investigator checked abstractions and assessments for accuracy.Data SynthesisOne SR, 1 RCT, and 4 cohort studies were included. The SR found that intensified patient care improved adherence and decreased levels of total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at 6 months or more of follow-up. Compared with statin treatment discontinuation, nondaily statin dosing lowered total cholesterol and LDL-C levels. One large cohort study suggested that more than 90% of patients who discontinued statin treatment could be rechallenged with the same or a different statin and be adherent 1 year after a statin-related adverse event led to discontinuation. Two small cohort studies reported that more than 90% of patients who were previously intolerant to statins and who had low baseline levels of vitamin D were able to adhere to statins 1 year after vitamin D supplementation.LimitationThis is a qualitative synthesis of new evidence with existing meta-analyses, and studies had several methodological shortcomings.ConclusionAlthough the strength of evidence for most interventions was low or very low, intensified patient care and rechallenge with the same or a different statin (or a lower dose) seem to be favorable options for improving statin adherence.Primary Funding SourceU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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