People who have had a stroke are more at risk of having a second stroke, potentially more dangerous than the first. For avoid this recurrence, patients are often prescribed statins, a drug originally designed to lower cholesterol that also works to reduce cholesterol. prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, a third of these patients do not follow the prescription, at the risk of having another stroke.
Fear of side effects
To understand this reluctance, researchers at Cambridge University and Queen Mary University in London followed the words of patients for 7 years on a British forum specially dedicated to stroke survivors and caregivers.
The results of the study, which covered the messages of 84 participants, including 49 survivors and 33 caregivers, have just been published in the journal. BMJ Open.
Among the reasons for stopping treatment, side effects come first. Several patients suffered negative side effects and have stopped taking the medicine, sometimes after consulting their GP but sometimes without telling their doctor.
Other patients quit simply after reading negative testimonials in the press about the side effects. Others admitted to having difficulty swallowing the drugs due to disabilities from the stroke.
Finally, some patients believe that the risk of recurrence can be reduced through changes in lifestyle.
Improve patient-doctor dialogue
“These results highlighted the need for an open and honest dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals”, explains Dr. De Simoni, lead author of the study. “Physicians need to listen to these concerns, discuss the pros and cons of taking the drug, and be prepared to support a patient’s informed decision to decline drugs. Reduce negative beliefs about drugs and adopt practices that support it. easier medication use, should increase treatment adherence and ultimately improve health outcomes “.
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