Grapefruit-Statin Interactions: Patient Awareness, Knowledge and Contributing Factors

Abstract

Objectives: The goals of this study were: to assess patients’ knowledge of grapefruit interactions when taking statin class (dyslipidemia) medications, to identify any pertinent demographic characteristics that may influence knowledge of grapefruit statin interactions, and to identify patient preferred sources of health information. Methods: Questionnaires were administered at community health fairs during the academic school year 2014 through 2015. The survey addressed grapefruit consumption, frequency and amount, for both whole fruit and juice; examined knowledge of the potential for harmful interactions of grapefruit juice with statin medications; and how or where the participant learned this information. Results: A total of 74 participants completed surveys, of which, 72 submitted fully completed surveys, mean age was 64 (SD=+/- 15.6), 71.2% were female (N=52), and 78.1% were white. Of those surveyed, 63.5% (N= 47) reported consuming grapefruit in the past 12 months, and 36.1% (N=26) reported taking a statin. Those taking statins, 50% (N=13) reported consuming grapefruit as well. The majority of people, 61.3% (N=45), reported obtaining health related information from healthcare sources. Those with a college education were more likely to have consumed grapefruit in the last 12 months (X2=4.88, p=0.027) and to have ever consumed grapefruit (X2 =4.40, p=0.036). Conclusions: The majority of the health fair attendees surveyed were highly educated, reported having health insurance, had consumed grapefruit in the past year, and had heard about grapefruit-drug interactions.