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Epidemiological aspects of adherence to the treatment of hypertension

Jadelson P Andrade1, Fábio Vilas-Boas, Hildenizia Chagas

  • 1Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, BA. jad@bahianet.com.br

Arquivos Brasileiros De Cardiologia
|November 12, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Most patients stop hypertension treatment due to lack of information or medication side effects. Understanding these reasons is key to improving adherence and managing high blood pressure effectively.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hypertension is a major global health concern requiring consistent pharmacological treatment.
  • Patient non-adherence to antihypertensive medication is a significant barrier to effective blood pressure control.
  • Understanding patient-reported reasons for treatment interruption is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and analyze the primary reasons cited by patients for discontinuing their pharmacological treatment for hypertension.
  • To investigate the relationship between patient demographics and reported reasons for treatment abandonment.

Main Methods:

  • An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted with 401 diagnosed hypertensive patients not on treatment for at least 60 days.
  • Data were collected via questionnaires and blood pressure measurements across various centers in Bahia.
  • Clinical and epidemiological characteristics were analyzed to understand patient profiles.

Main Results:

  • The leading reasons for treatment interruption included normalized blood pressure, medication side effects, forgetting doses, and cost.
  • Specific concerns like fear of mixing alcohol/medications and ignorance of treatment necessity were also reported.
  • Demographic differences in reported reasons were observed between male and female patients.

Conclusions:

  • Lack of patient information is a predominant factor contributing to hypertension treatment abandonment.
  • Despite advancements, medication side effects remain a significant cause for discontinuing antihypertensive therapy.
  • Interventions should focus on patient education and addressing medication-related concerns to improve treatment adherence.
Abstract

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