Validation of a novel direct method to determine reduced adherence to atorvastatin therapy.

Aims: Objective methods to determine statin adherence are requested to improve lipid management. We have recently established a method to detect reduced adherence to atorvastatin therapy with cut-off values based on the sum of atorvastatin and its major metabolites in the blood. We aimed to validate this method in patients with and without cardiovascular disease, and optimize previous cut-off values.

Frailty, health literacy and self-care in patients admitted with acute heart failure.

Background: There is limited knowledge from Norway on clinical characteristics, self-care and health literacy in patients admitted to hospital with acute heart failure. Our aim was to identify these factors in this group.

Material And Method: We included patients admitted with acute heart failure over a period of six months (2022/2023) at Drammen Hospital and Vestfold Hospital Trust.

Atorvastatin Metabolite Pattern in Skeletal Muscle and Blood from Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Statin-Associated Muscle Symptoms.

Self-perceived statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) are prevalent, but only a minority is drug-dependent. Diagnostic biomarkers are not yet identified. The local statin exposure in skeletal muscle tissue may correlate to the adverse effects.

Monitoring Simvastatin Adherence in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Proof-of-Concept Study Based on Pharmacokinetic Measurements in Blood Plasma.

Background: Poor statin adherence remains a public health concern associated with adverse outcomes. We evaluated the use of pharmacokinetic measurements to monitor adherence to simvastatin in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Eighteen patients with CHD taking an evening dose of simvastatin 20 mg (n = 7), 40 mg (n = 5), or 80 mg (n = 6) were examined at steady-state pharmacokinetics.

Clinical and psychological factors in coronary heart disease patients with statin associated muscle side-effects.

Background: To compare clinical and psychological factors among patients with self-perceived statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS), confirmed SAMS, and refuted SAMS in coronary heart disease patients (CHD).

Methods: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional study of 1100 CHD outpatients and a study of 71 CHD outpatients attending a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover study to test effects of atorvastatin 40 mg/day on muscle symptom intensity. Clinical and psychosocial factors were compared between patients with and without SAMS in the cross-sectional study, and between patients with confirmed SAMS and refuted SAMS in the randomized study.

The relationship between directly measured statin adherence, self-reported adherence measures and cholesterol levels in patients with coronary heart disease.

Background And Aims: We aimed to determine the relationship between statin adherence measured directly, and by self-report measures and serum cholesterol levels.

Methods: Patients prescribed atorvastatin (N = 373) participated in a cross-sectional study 2-36 months after a coronary event. Self-reported adherence included statin adherence the past week, the 8-item Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-8), and the Gehi et al.

Effect of atorvastatin on muscle symptoms in coronary heart disease patients with self-perceived statin muscle side effects: a randomized, double-blinded crossover trial.

Aims: To estimate the effect of atorvastatin on muscle symptom intensity in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients with self-perceived statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) and to determine the relationship to blood levels of atorvastatin and/or metabolites.

Methods And Results: A randomized multi-centre trial consecutively identified 982 patients with previous or ongoing atorvastatin treatment after a CHD event. Of these, 97 (9.

A novel direct method to determine adherence to atorvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease.

Aims: Objective methods to monitor statin adherence are needed. We have established a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for quantification of atorvastatin and its metabolites in blood. This study aimed to develop an objective drug exposure variable with cut-off values to discriminate among adherence, partial adherence and nonadherence to atorvastatin therapy in patients with coronary heart disease.