Advancing cardiovascular care in China: Insights from an a:care HEOR study on medication adherence
In the relentless pursuit of enhancing patient outcomes, Dr. Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk and colleagues have unveiled findings from a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) study underscoring the transformative power of optimal medication adherence at the 18th Oriental Congress of Cardiology together with the World Congress of Cardiology (OCC-WCC) 2024. The study, conducted by a distinguished team of researchers from the University of Utah College of Pharmacy, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, and Fudan University, among others, presents a compelling case for the economic and clinical benefits of improving medication adherence in Chinese patients with a history of cardiovascular events (CVEs).
The study’s backdrop is the alarming non-adherence rates among Chinese dyslipidemia patients, which not only precipitate fatal CVEs but also inflate healthcare costs while diminishing quality of life. To address this, researchers developed a state-transition model simulating Chinese patients with previous CVEs, incorporating data from a network meta-analysis of lipid-lowering therapy and a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies.
The findings are significant:
Clinical Outcomes: Current adherence levels were associated with a higher risk of CVEs compared to optimal adherence (Relative risk 1.44, 95% CI1.34-1.56)
Life Expectancy: Optimal adherence could increase life-years by 1.11 and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) by 0.93.
Cost Savings: From a healthcare perspective, optimal adherence could lead to a reduction of ¥3,718 (512 USD) in per patient medical costs related to CVEs. From a societal viewpoint, the savings increase to ¥4,654 (641 USD) per patient.
Moreover, the study posits that even if an intervention program were required to enhance adherence, it would remain cost-effective, with an affordable annual expense of ¥9,970 (1,370 USD) per patient from a societal perspective.
The implications of these findings are profound. They advocate for the integration of strategies by national healthcare systems to bolster medication adherence, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing economic burden. The study also highlights the role of behavioral change and the potential impact of adherence-enhancing interventions, which are likely to be cost-effective for both the healthcare system and society at large.
As we stand on the cusp of a new era in cardiovascular care, the OCC-WCC2024 study serves as a beacon, guiding us towards a future where every patient can benefit from the full potential of their treatment regimens. It is a call to action for healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients alike to embrace the change that can lead to a healthier, more sustainable world.
Click here to download the poster.
References
- Jeong-Yeon Cho, Yingyao Chen, Zhenyue Chen, Kyoo Kim, Nathorn Chaiyakunapruk, Projected Cost Savings with Achieving Optimal Medication Adherence in Patients with Previous Cardiovascular Events in China, Poster presented at OCC-WCC 2024
This article was written with the assistance of generative AI technology and reviewed for accuracy.