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[Factors affecting the cooperation of hypertensive patients in the process of treatment]
Grzegorz Kopeć1, Małgorzata Kloch, Danuta Czarnecka
1I Klinika Kardiologii Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. gkopec@szpitaljp2.krakow.pl
Insights
Low income is a significant barrier to regular medication adherence in patients with hypertension. Addressing socioeconomic factors is crucial for improving hypertension control and reducing cardiovascular risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Arterial hypertension is a primary driver of cardiovascular disease, yet control rates remain low despite effective treatments.
- Patient non-adherence, including irregular medication intake and lifestyle factors, significantly impedes hypertension management.
- Educational programs show promise, but identifying specific patient groups needing targeted interventions is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors influencing consistent medication adherence among individuals diagnosed with hypertension.
- To identify patient characteristics associated with regular drug taking in a cohort of hypertensive individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 222 ambulatory hypertensive patients (mean age 56 years) at the I Department of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow.
- Data collected via a uniform questionnaire included medication adherence, demographics, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and self-monitoring practices.
- Statistical analysis compared systematic vs. non-systematic drug takers, with logistic regression identifying independent predictors of adherence.
Main Results:
- 58% of patients reported regular medication intake.
- Significant differences in adherence were observed based on education level, urban vs. rural living, employment status, income, hypertension knowledge, and blood pressure self-monitoring regularity.
- Logistic regression analysis revealed that low income was the sole independent factor associated with irregular drug use.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic factors, particularly low income, play a critical role in medication adherence for hypertensive patients.
- Targeted interventions addressing financial barriers and improving health literacy may enhance treatment adherence and hypertension control.
- Further research should focus on developing strategies to support adherence in vulnerable socioeconomic groups to mitigate cardiovascular risks.
Introduction:
Arterial hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite rigorous knowledge of pathophysiology of this entity and wide accessibility to highly effective drugs the rate of hypertension control is still low. Currently the lack of appropriate patient cooperation including irregular drug taking and unhealthy lifestyle are regarded to contribute most to the low efficacy of hypertension treatment. Many studies demonstrated the role of educational programmes in better hypertension control. It is now necessary to indicate those groups that need such efforts particularly.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting regular drug taking among hypertensive patients.
Methods:
222 ambulatory patients (x=56 years, 123 males and 99 females) of the I Department of Cardiology of the Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow were analyzed in this study. We used a detailed, uniform own questionnaire to get the following information from the patients: regularity of drug taking, age, level of education, place of living, occupational category, incomes, coexisting diseases, costs of drugs and self-control of blood pressure. Afterwards we compared two groups: patients that use drugs systematically and those who do not. A computer software Statistica PI was used for statistical analyses.
Results:
Most of patients (129; 58%) declared regular drug taking. We observed statistically significant differences between two analyzed groups for the following parameters: level of education, place of living, occupational category, incomes, knowledge of the definition of hypertension and regularity of blood pressure self-control. Patients living in cities, currently working, with higher level of education, higher incomes, well defining hypertension and measuring blood pressure regularly were more systematic in drug taking. The logistic regression analysis showed that only low incomes were independently associated with irregular drug using.
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Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.