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Patient compliance and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in hypertension
1University of Cordoba School of Medicine, Argentina.
Insights
Patient adherence to medical treatments, especially for hypertension, is vital. Once-daily enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, significantly improves patient compliance and treatment success due to its efficacy and minimal side effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Patient compliance is essential for effective medical treatment outcomes.
- Poor adherence is a significant challenge in managing chronic conditions like hypertension, with high discontinuation rates.
- Factors influencing compliance include patient demographics, treatment complexity, and physician-patient relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of enalapril on patient compliance in hypertension management.
- To assess the role of a once-daily angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor regimen in improving treatment adherence.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical compliance data for hypertension therapy.
- Analysis of treatment outcomes and adherence rates associated with enalapril use.
- Consideration of drug efficacy and side effect profiles.
Main Results:
- Historically, hypertension treatment compliance has been very low, with substantial drop-off rates within the first year and five years.
- The introduction of enalapril, a once-daily angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, has led to improved patient compliance.
- Improved adherence is likely attributed to enalapril's effectiveness and favorable side effect profile.
Conclusions:
- Enalapril offers a viable therapeutic option for enhancing patient compliance in hypertension management.
- Simplifying treatment regimens with once-daily medications like enalapril can overcome adherence barriers.
- Effective pharmacotherapy, combined with good patient-physician rapport, is key to long-term management of hypertension.
Abstract:
Patient compliance is crucial to successful medical treatment. Many factors contribute to compliance, including age, sex, other sociodemographic factors, finances, intelligence, complexity of therapeutic regimen, and patient-physician rapport. Compliance is especially critical in medical conditions requiring prolonged therapy, such as hypertension. Historically, compliance among hypertensive patients has been alarmingly poor, with a 50% drop-off after 1 year and fewer than 20% still in therapy after 5 years. The use of enalapril, the long-acting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that allows for a once-daily regimen, has improved treatment success and compliance. This probably is due to the efficacy of the drug, coupled with a low incidence of side effects.