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Factors affecting medication adherence in hypertensive patients
Rosalie P Patel1, Stephanie D Taylor
1College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, 428 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1065, USA.
The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
|January 31, 2002
Summary
Patients with hypertension who feel more in control of their condition may be less likely to adhere to their blood pressure medications. This highlights the importance of understanding patient beliefs in managing hypertension effectively.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Behavioral Science
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Medication adherence is crucial for managing hypertension and patient well-being.
- Patient beliefs about their health condition influence acceptance of medical advice.
- Understanding patient attributions and perceived control is essential for effective hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between illness attribution, perceived control, and adherence to antihypertensive medications.
- To explore how patients' beliefs about hypertension impact their medication-taking behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted with 102 hypertensive patients.
- Data on illness attributions, perceived control, and medication adherence were collected via written and telephone surveys.
- Correlation analyses were used to examine associations between key variables.
Main Results:
- A majority of patients (67.7%) demonstrated adherence to antihypertensive medications.
- While modifiable variables were commonly cited as causes of hypertension, they did not correlate with medication adherence.
- A significant inverse relationship was observed between perceived control over hypertension and medication adherence (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Increased patient perception of control over blood pressure management may lead to reduced reliance on medications.
- This can subsequently result in lower adherence to prescribed drug therapy for hypertension.
- Findings have implications for pharmacy practice, suggesting a need to address patient beliefs and perceived control in medication adherence interventions.