Medication adherence in persons with cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Elderly individuals often manage multiple health conditions (comorbidities).
• Cardiovascular disorders are prevalent among older adults.
• Medication adherence is crucial for managing chronic conditions, especially in the elderly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess medication adherence rates in elderly patients (≥62 years) with comorbid conditions, including cardiovascular disorders.
• To identify sociodemographic factors that predict medication adherence in this demographic.
• To present risks associated with poor adherence and propose strategies for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Data collected over a 3-week period from three distinct groups of elderly participants.
• Calculation of adherence metrics: percentage of prescribed doses taken, percentage of days with correct dosing, and percentage of doses administered at the correct time.
• Application of multiple linear regression analysis to evaluate the predictive power of sociodemographic variables on adherence.

Main Results:

• Quantification of medication adherence rates across the studied elderly groups.
• Identification of specific sociodemographic variables significantly associated with medication adherence.
• Analysis of common risks contributing to non-adherence in elderly patients with cardiovascular conditions.

Conclusions:

• Understanding adherence patterns is vital for optimizing treatment outcomes in elderly patients with cardiovascular comorbidities.
• Sociodemographic factors play a role in medication adherence and should be considered in care strategies.
• Targeted interventions are needed to mitigate risks and enhance medication adherence in this vulnerable population.