Non-adherence to heart failure medications predicts clinical outcomes: assessment in a single spot urine sample by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (results of a prospective multicentre study)

Gupta, P. et al. (2021) Non-adherence to heart failure medications predicts clinical outcomes: assessment in a single spot urine sample by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (results of a prospective multicentre study). European Journal of Heart Failure, 23(7), pp. 1182-1190. (doi: 10.1002/ejhf.2160) (PMID:33759308)

Abstract

Aims: Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is an objective new technique to assess non-adherence to medications. We used this method to study the prevalence, predictors and outcomes of non-adherence in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods and results: This study included 1296 patients with HFrEF from BIOSTAT-CHF, a study that aimed to optimise guideline-recommended therapies. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, β-blockers and loop diuretics were measured in a single spot urine sample at 9 months using LC-MS/MS. The relationship between medication non-adherence and the composite endpoint of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalisation, over a median follow-up of 21 months, was evaluated. Non-adherence to at least one prescribed medication was observed in 45.9% of patients. The strongest predictor of non-adherence was non-adherence to any of the other medication classes (P < 0.0005). Regional differences within Europe were observed. On multivariable analyses, non-adherence to ACEi/ARBs and β-blockers was associated with an increased risk of the composite endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09–1.95, P = 0.008 and HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.12–1.96, P = 0.006, respectively). Non-adherence to β-blockers was also associated with an increased risk of death (HR 2.48, 95% CI 1.67–3.68, P < 0.0005). Patients who were non-adherent to loop diuretics were healthier and had a decreased risk of the composite endpoint (HR 0.69, 95% CI 0.51–0.93, P = 0.014). Non-adherence to mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists was not related to any clinical outcome. Conclusion: Non-adherence to medications, assessed by a single urine test, is common and predicts clinical outcomes in patients with HFrEF.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cleland, Professor John
• Authors: Gupta, P., Voors, A. A., Patel, P., Lane, D., Anker, S. D., Cleland, J. G.F., Dickstein, K., Filippatos, G., Lang, C.C., Veldhuisen, D. J., Metra, M., Zannad, F., Samani, N. J., Jones, D. J.L., Squire, I. B., and Ng, L. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
• Journal Name: European Journal of Heart Failure
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 1388-9842
• ISSN (Online): 1879-0844
• Published Online: 23 March 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 European Society of Cardiology
• First Published: First published in European Journal of Heart Failure 23(7): 1182-1190
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy