Key result
Cardiac rehabilitation linked to ~47% higher likelihood of medication adherence post-ACS.
Why the study?
Medication non-adherence after ACS is highly prevalent despite evidence-based therapies, and the reasons for non-adherence remain poorly understood.
Population
1379 ACS patients from 18 hospitals across Australia
Comparison
Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with medication adherence
Design
Secondary analysis of a single-blind randomised clinical trial
Follow-up
12-month time points
Authors
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May support cardiac rehabilitation referral after ACS; observational data leave open causality and require prospective confirmation.
RCT (n=1,379)
Single-blind
Yes
Odds Ratio: 1.47 (95% CI 1.17–1.86)
Female sex and physical disability are associated with lower medication adherence after ACS, whereas taking more medications and attending cardiac rehabilitation predict better adherence.
Kha et al. (2025) conducted an RCT in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) (n=1,379). Sociodemographic and clinical factors (e.g., cardiac rehabilitation) was evaluated on self-reported medication adherence to each of up to five classes of guideline-recommended cardioprotective medications indicated for secondary prevention after ACS (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.17-1.86). Attending a cardiac rehabilitation program was associated with a higher likelihood of medication adherence at 6 and 12 months in patients with acute coronary syndrome (OR 1.47; 95% CI 1.17-1.86).
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