Effects of a Fixed-Dose Combination Strategy on Adherence and Risk Factors in Patients With or at High Risk of CVD

Abstract

The long-term use of cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive therapy is low among people with established disease.¹ This shortfall is greatest in low- and middle-income countries, but even in high-income countries treatment coverage in the community is only about 50% in those with coronary disease and 35% in those with stroke.¹ People who are at similar risk but have not reached the clinical threshold of experiencing a CVD event are even less likely to be adequately treated.² Quiz Ref ID Fixed-dose combination (FDC) therapy may reduce these treatment gaps by reducing cost, complexity, therapeutic inertia, and low adherence. However, FDCs could lead to suboptimal risk factor control as a result of reduced tailoring of individual medications, and concerns have been expressed that lifestyle measures could be neglected or medications not restarted if the FDC is stopped. The balance of these potential benefits and risks remains uncertain.