Medication adherence is multifactorial and has a direct influence on the efficacy of statins to prevent cardiovascular disease events. The aim of this study was to pilot the combined method for assessment of medication adherence of patients receiving statin therapy for a longer period of time compared with those who initiated treatment. Patient self-assessment questionnaire, pill count adherence (PCA), medicines possession ratio (MPR), and total cholesterol levels test were used. The study

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... (long term users) included 15 outpatients (statin use >1 year). The reference group consisted of 17 patients who initiated treatment. All patients participated in the study for 6 months. During the study period, the mean PCA and MPR were higher in the long term usersí group than in the other group. Total cholesterol level decreased 33% in the long term usersí group and 82% in the new usersí group. Thus, the majority of patients were at least partially adherent to statin treatment. However, regular monitoring of patients using statins by a general practitioner or pharmacist is crucial to reach consistent high adherence to therapy, especially for those patients who started their treatment. Based on the pilot study, it could be recommended to use a combined assessment of medication adherence towards statins. However, further studies with larger patient groups and with respective measures ìbetween fillsî would be needed.