Continuation and adherence rates on initially-prescribed intensive secondary prevention therapy after Rapid Access Stroke Prevention (RASP) service assessment.

Introduction: Consistent adherence to treatment is essential for effective secondary prevention following TIA/ischaemic stroke. Representative data on long-term treatment continuation and adherence rates are limited.

Methods: This single centre study recruited patients attending our Rapid Access Stroke Prevention clinic in Ireland from 07/09/2006 → 30/11/2009. Demographic and clinical data, and prescribed medication regimens at initial assessment were recorded. All patients received copies of clinical correspondence containing clear 'goal-directed treatment advice' sent to their general practitioner or referring physician. Patients were subsequently interviewed with a standardised pro-forma to assess continuation and adherence rates; overall adherence rates with secondary prevention therapy were also assessed with a validated self-reporting tool (Morisky Scale). Recurrent vascular events during follow-up were recorded.

Results: One hundred and fourteen patients were recruited; mean age: 64.5 ± 13.8 years; median duration of follow-up: 630 days. Patients were prescribed aspirin (69.3%), alone (17.5%) or in combination with dipyridamole MR (51.8%), clopidogrel (18.2%), warfarin (16.7%), statins (76.3%) and anti-hypertensives (51.8%). During follow-up, the percentages of patients continuing treatment prescribed at the initial visit were: Aspirin (93.7%), dipyridamole MR (72.9%), clopidogrel (81%), warfarin (94.7%), statins (87.9%) and anti-hypertensives (89.8%). Overall, 99.1% reported taking their medication the preceding day. Morisky scale scores for all treatments revealed that 41.2% (N=47) were high, 36.8% (N=42) medium, and 12.3% (N=14) low adherers; 9.7% (N=11) had incomplete data. Two patients (1.8%) had recurrent cerebrovascular events, and two (1.8%) had myocardial infarctions.

Discussion: This novel study in European TIA/ischaemic stroke patients, who were provided with a goal-directed secondary prevention plan, showed high rates of medication-continuation and self-reported adherence with prescribed treatment, associated with a low incidence of recurrent vascular events during a median follow up of 1.7 years.