Rania Magadmi¹ , Ranya Alawy Ghamri²

Abstract

Purpose: To assess patients' beliefs about the necessity and safety of statins and their impact on adherence in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 150 hyperlipidemic patients undergoing statin therapy for at least six months. A structured questionnaire was used to assess sociodemographic data, statin adherence and beliefs about statin necessity and safety using a 5-level Likert scale. Results: Over 40 % of participants were nonadherent by missing seven or more doses in the past month, 26.7 % often forgot medication when traveling and 45.3 % perceived themselves as noncompliant. The main noncompliance reasons were forgetfulness (28.0 %), perceived cholesterol control (14.7 %) and side effects like muscle aches (10.3 %). Less than 25 % agreed on statin necessity for health, with 45.0 % unsure. Higher belief scores correlated with longer statin use and fewer missed doses. About 27.0 % were concerned about adverse effects, but concerns showed no consistent effect on adherence. Conclusion: Hyperlipidemic patients in Jeddah exhibit inadequate adherence to statin therapy, primarily due to forgetfulness, concerns about transporting medication and varying beliefs regarding the necessity and potential adverse effects of statins. These findings underscore the critical need for targeted educational interventions and enhancement of clinical practices.