A polypill is an interesting strategy for cardiac patients requiring multiple drugs. This trial involved 2138 patients from 28 sites in India and Europe with an event risk higher than 15% at 5 years of conventional therapy or a polypill which combined aspirin, statin, lisinopril and atenolol/hydrochlorothiazide in fixed doses. At a 24 month follow up the polypill had significantly better adherence (86% vs. 65% p<0,0001), and better control of blood pressure (p=0,0005) and LDL cholesterol (p=0,0005).
Conclusion: the polypill showed improvement in adherence and control of risk factors vs. the standard therapy.
Comment: In addition to improving adherence and therefore reducing cardiovascular events in the population, this kind of treatment could contribute to reduce public healthcare costs, especially in developing countries.
Simon A Thom
2012-11-05
Original title: Use of a Multidrug Pill In Reducing cardiovascular Events (UMPIRE)