A pragmatic randomized trial of a polypill-based strategy to improve use of indicated preventive treatments in people at high cardiovascular disease risk

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2015 Jul;22(7):920-30. doi: 10.1177/2047487314530382. Epub 2014 Mar 27.

Abstract

Background: Most individuals at high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk worldwide do not receive any or optimal preventive drugs. We aimed to determine whether fixed dose combinations of generic drugs ('polypills') would promote use of such medications.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, open-label trial involving 623 participants from Australian general practices. Participants had established CVD or an estimated five-year CVD risk of ≥15%, with indications for antiplatelet, statin and ≥2 blood pressure lowering drugs ('combination treatment'). Participants randomized to the 'polypill-based strategy' received a polypill containing aspirin 75 mg, simvastatin 40 mg, lisinopril 10 mg and either atenolol 50 mg or hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg. Participants randomized to 'usual care' continued with separate medications and doses as prescribed by their doctor. Primary outcomes were self-reported combination treatment use, systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol.

Results: After a median of 18 months, the polypill-based strategy was associated with greater use of combination treatment (70% vs. 47%; relative risk 1.49, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30 to 1.72) p < 0.0001; number needed to treat = 4.4 (3.3 to 6.6)) without differences in systolic blood pressure (-1.5 mmHg (95% CI -4.0 to 1.0) p = 0.24) or total cholesterol (0.08 mmol/l (95% CI -0.06 to 0.22) p = 0.26). At study end, 17% and 67% of participants in polypill and usual care groups, respectively, were taking atorvastatin or rosuvastatin.

Conclusion: Provision of a polypill improved self-reported use of indicated preventive treatments. The lack of differences in blood pressure and cholesterol may reflect limited study power, although for cholesterol, improved statin use in the polypill group counter-balanced use of more potent statins with usual care.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; adherence; blood pressure; cholesterol; polypill; prevention.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Pragmatic Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists / administration & dosage
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Aspirin / administration & dosage
  • Atenolol / administration & dosage
  • Australia
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drugs, Generic / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • General Practice
  • Humans
  • Hydrochlorothiazide / administration & dosage
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood
  • Hyperlipidemias / complications
  • Hyperlipidemias / diagnosis
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Lisinopril / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Polypharmacy
  • Primary Prevention / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Simvastatin / administration & dosage
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Tablets
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Drug Combinations
  • Drugs, Generic
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors
  • Tablets
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Atenolol
  • Cholesterol
  • Simvastatin
  • Lisinopril
  • Aspirin

Associated data

  • ANZCTR/ACTRN126080005833347