JAHA publishes a:care HEOR study: medication adherence yields significant cost savings in cardiovascular disease management
The Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) recently published a study by Cho et al. (2024) that highlights the significant economic and health benefits of achieving optimal medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) who require lipid-lowering therapy. This study, part of the a:care Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) program, focuses on three middle-income countries: Mexico, Thailand, and China.
Understanding the Study
The study addresses a critical issue in healthcare: poor adherence to prescribed medications, which can lead to worse health outcomes and higher healthcare costs. For patients with chronic conditions like CVD, sticking to their medication regimen is crucial. However, many patients struggle with adherence, leading to preventable cardiovascular events and increased healthcare expenses.
Key Findings
The researchers used a Markov model simulation to compare two scenarios: optimal medication adherence and the current adherence levels. They found that improving adherence to optimal levels could prevent a significant number of cardiovascular events and save substantial healthcare costs in all three countries studied.
- Economic Benefits:
The study found that achieving optimal medication adherence could save $412 per patient in Mexico, $316 in Thailand, and $700 in China from a societal perspective. These savings come from reduced medical costs due to fewer cardiovascular events. - Health Outcomes:
Optimal adherence could prevent numerous cardiovascular events, which translates to better health outcomes for patients. Specifically, the study projected that optimal adherence could prevent 42 cardiovascular events per 1000 patients in Mexico, 34 in Thailand, and 63 in China.
The study also found that optimal adherence could lead to significant gains in life years and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). For example, patients in Mexico could gain an additional 0.60 life years, those in Thailand could gain 0.68 QALYs, and those in China could gain 0.93 QALYs per patient.
Implications for Healthcare Policy
The findings of this study have important implications for healthcare policymakers and providers, especially in middle-income countries. The study suggests that national healthcare systems should prioritize interventions that improve medication adherence. These interventions could include mobile health apps, patient education programs, and other strategies designed to help patients stick to their prescribed treatments.
By implementing these adherence-enhancing strategies, healthcare systems can reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease, lower healthcare costs, and improve patient outcomes. This is particularly important in resource-limited settings where healthcare resources are already stretched thin.
Conclusion
The study by Cho et al. underscores the importance of medication adherence in managing cardiovascular disease. It highlights the potential for significant cost savings and improved health outcomes through better adherence to prescribed treatments. These findings advocate for the adoption of adherence-enhancing strategies by national healthcare systems, particularly in middle-income countries like Mexico, Thailand, and China.
For healthcare professionals, this study provides valuable insights into the economic and clinical benefits of optimal medication adherence. It emphasizes the need for effective strategies to support patients in adhering to their treatment plans, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and more efficient use of healthcare resources.
Reference
Cho JY, Wilson FA, Chaikledkaew U, Chen Y, Phrommintikul A, Diaz-Aguilera MA, Chen Z, Kim K, Chaiyakunapruk N. Projected Cost Savings With Optimal Medication Adherence in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease Requiring Lipid-Lowering Therapy: A Multinational Economic Evaluation Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2024 Nov 19;13(22):e037792.
This article was written with the assistance of generative AI technology and reviewed for accuracy.