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Interventions promoting adherence to cardiovascular medicines

Judith van Dalem1, Ines Krass, Parisa Aslani

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, FAFC Wentgebouw, Sorbonnelaan 16, 3584 CA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. j.vandalem@students.uu.nl

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
|January 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Behavioral interventions are most effective for improving adherence to cardiovascular medicines. Combining strategies may enhance outcomes, but long-term, multifaceted approaches are crucial for sustained medicine-taking in patients with cardiovascular diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology and Public Health
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Health Behavior Research

Background:

  • Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant healthcare burden, with low medication adherence impacting treatment efficacy.
  • Optimizing adherence and persistence to cardiovascular medications is critical for improving patient health outcomes.
  • Identifying effective community-based interventions is essential for enhancing medication adherence in CVD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review literature on community-based interventions aimed at improving adherence to cardiovascular medicines.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention strategies in patients with hypertension, dyslipidaemia, congestive heart failure, or ischaemic heart disease.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Medline, EMBASE, etc.) for studies published between 1979 and 2009.
  • Eligible studies evaluated interventions to improve adherence to cardiovascular medicines in a community setting, including a comparison/control group.
  • Studies were categorized into informational, behavioural, social, and combined strategy interventions.

Main Results:

  • Out of 36 eligible studies, 17 reported significant improvements in medication adherence or persistence.
  • Behavioural interventions demonstrated the highest success rate in improving adherence compared to informational or social strategies.
  • While 21 studies showed improvements in clinical outcomes, these effects were variable and not consistently linked to adherence changes.

Conclusions:

  • Various interventions can effectively improve adherence and persistence to cardiovascular medicines in community settings.
  • Behavioural interventions are the most successful, with no additional benefit observed from combining informational strategies.
  • Sustained improvement in medication adherence requires long-term, multifaceted interventions addressing the dynamic nature of patient behavior.
Abstract

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