Adherence to Post-Stroke Pharmacotherapy: Scale Validation and Correlates among a Sample of Stroke Survivors

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Adherence to post-stroke pharmacotherapy has been less studied compared with other cardiovascular diseases, and previous research in this context utilized generic tools without cross-validating for stroke specific factors and patient characteristics. This study aimed to validate the Lebanese Medication Adherence Scale (LMAS-14) among stroke survivors to assess adherence to post-stroke pharmacotherapy. It also aimed to determine the socioeconomic, clinical characteristics, and health related quality of life correlates of medication adherence among stroke survivors. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included stroke survivors from districts throughout Lebanon. A well-structured questionnaire consisting of three parts was developed and utilized to collect data. The first part included questions about the sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics. The second part included questions about medical history, current clinical characteristics of the patients, and use of medications. The third part included validated scales to assess stroke outcomes, daily performance and activities, and quality of life. Results: A total of 172 stroke survivors were included. The LMAS-14 structure was validated over a solution of three factors, with a Kaiser−Meyer−Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy = 0.836 and a significant Bartlett’s test of sphericity (p < 0.001). Severe difficulty in obtaining medications within the current Lebanese economic crisis was significantly associated with lower medication adherence (Beta = −8.473, p = 0.001). Lower medication adherence was also associated with poor stroke prognosis (Beta = −3.264, p = 0.027), higher number of used medications (Beta = −0.610, p = 0.034), and longer duration of stroke diagnosis (Beta = −4.292, p = 0.002). Conclusions: The LMAS−14 is a valid and reliable tool to assess medication adherence in stroke practice and research. Severe difficulty in obtaining medications due to unpredictable availability and shortage of supplies is associated with lower medication adherence, and thus places stroke survivors at higher risk of complications and morality. Additional measures and urgent action by stroke care providers and public health stakeholders are necessary to ensure adequate post-stroke management and outcomes.

Keywords: adherence; medication; pharmacotherapy; post-stroke; quality of life; stroke; stroke survivors; validated scale.