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Adherence to medication according to sex and age in the CHARM programme

Bradi B Granger1, Inger Ekman, Christopher B Granger

  • 1Duke University Health System, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC 27710, USA. grang004@mc.duke.edu

European Journal of Heart Failure
|October 31, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Women with symptomatic heart failure, especially those under 75, showed lower medication adherence. Understanding these factors is key for improving treatment outcomes in heart failure patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Medication adherence is crucial for heart failure management.
  • Factors influencing adherence in heart failure patients are not fully understood.
  • Previous studies suggest potential demographic influences on adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate factors associated with medication adherence in heart failure patients.
  • To specifically examine the roles of age and sex in adherence.
  • To identify potential targets for adherence interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 7599 heart failure patients from the CHARM trial.
  • Multivariable regression analysis to identify predictors of adherence.
  • Adherence defined as taking >80% of study medication.

Main Results:

  • Women were less adherent than men (87.3% vs. 89.8%, P=0.002), even after adjustment.
  • Lower adherence was associated with higher all-cause mortality, irrespective of sex.
  • Age, heart failure severity, medication count, and smoking were not linked to adherence.

Conclusions:

  • Women, particularly those under 75, demonstrated reduced medication adherence in symptomatic heart failure.
  • Identifying adherence barriers is essential for developing targeted interventions.
  • Findings highlight sex and age as important considerations in heart failure medication management.
Abstract

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