Use of secondary prevention medications among adults with reduced kidney function

Abstract

Background and objectives: Persons with kidney disease often have cardiovascular disease, but they are less likely to use recommended medications for secondary prevention. The hypothesis was that participants with reduced estimated GFR have lower use of medications recommended for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events (antiplatelet agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, β-blockers, and statins) and lower medication adherence than participants with preserved estimated GFR.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements: In this cross-sectional analysis, we analyzed data from 6913 participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study with a history of cardiovascular disease. Medication use was ascertained by an in-home pill bottle review. Medication adherence was assessed using a validated four-item scale.

Results: Among participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, 59.8% used antiplatelet agents, 49.9% used angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, 41.6% used β-blockers, and 53.0% used statins. Compared with the referent group (estimated GFR ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)), participants with estimated GFR <45 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) were more likely to use angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.14, 95% confidence interval=1.06-1.23), β-blockers (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.20, 95% confidence interval=1.09-1.32), and statins (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.10, 95% confidence interval=1.01-1.19). Antiplatelet agent use did not differ by estimated GFR category; 30% of participants reported medication nonadherence across all categories of estimated GFR.

Conclusions: Among participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, mild to moderate reductions in estimated GFR were associated with similar and even more frequent use of medications for secondary prevention compared with participants with preserved estimated GFR. Overall medication use and adherence were suboptimal.

Figure 1.

Distribution of medication use among the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study participants with a history of cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is defined as prior myocardial infarction (by electrocardiogram or self-report), coronary revascularization (percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery), stroke, aortic aneurysm repair, lower extremity bypass surgery, or carotid endarterectomy or angioplasty. ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blocker; eGFR, estimated GFR (ml/min per 1.73 m²).

Figure 2.

Distribution of medication use by time since last myocardial infarction or stroke associated with level of estimated GFR among REGARDS study participants. (A) Antiplatelet agents. (B) ACEI/ARBs. (C) β-Blockers. (D) Statins. ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; ARB, angiotensin II receptor blocker; eGFR, estimated GFR (ml/min per 1.73 m²).