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Medication adherence in persons with cardiovascular disease

Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob1, Patricia Bohachick, Mary Kay Mortimer

  • 1University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, PA 15261, USA. dunbar@pitt.edu

The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
|July 3, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Medication adherence was studied in elderly individuals with cardiovascular disorders. Findings highlight adherence rates and factors influencing medication management in this population.

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.

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