Non–adherence to aspirin or oral anticoagulants in secondary prevention after ischaemic stroke

Background The effectiveness of medication is influenced by treatment adherence. After TIA or minor disabling stroke patients usually are advised to take antithrombotic medication. Stroke patients are an interesting group of patients with respect to adherence, since cardiovascular risk factors and stroke may (indirectly) negatively influence brain function, which can affect adherence. We investigated determinants of non–adherence in patients who used aspirin or oral anticoagulation after cerebral ischaemia of arterial origin.