ADHERENCE TO EVIDENCE-BASED THERAPIES an‎d MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE - THE HLCP PROJECT

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. In patients with a history of MI, the risk of second myocardial infarction increases five-fold. This study aimed to investigate lifestyle habits, modifiable risk factors and medications in patients with coronary artery disease, as part of the first phase of Healthy Lifestyle for Cardiac Patients (HLCP) Project . METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, patients with a definitive diagnosis of coronary artery disease during the past 6-12 months were studied. A questionnaire was filled to collect demographic details, past medical history, and all current medications. Blood pressure, height, weight, waist circumference, blood glucose and lipid profile were measured. Data was entered in SPSS 11 and analyzed via Student's t-test, chi square test and prevalence study. P values less than 0.05 were considered as significant. RESULTS: Of 427 patients, 41.5% were women. Mean blood pressure, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides and body mass index were higher in women, while total cholesterol, height and weight were higher in men. Mean 6- to 12- month cardiology visits were 6.34 and 6.88 for men and women, respectively. Despite these visits, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and high LDL-C was 19.1%, 18.4% and 88.6%, respectively. In addition to the considerable prevalence of modifiable risk factors, consumption of medications for secondary prevention and control of these factors were not sufficient; ACE-inhibitors and anti-platelet medications were used more frequently in men, while the use of other cardiac medications was higher in women (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Neither men nor women had optimal control of modifiable risk factors, and medications were not taken in adequate amounts by either men or women. We recommend that patients be given proper education to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, reduce risk factors and improve medication after discharge and in visits.