Hypertension medication use and adherence among adults with developmental disability

Adults with developmental disability (DD) have high prevalence of coronary artery disease risk factors, as well as impediments to optimal diagnosis and management. We analyzed antihypertensive medication (AM) use and adherence patterns in a Kansas Medicaid cohort.

We studied adults (18-64 years) with DD and claims for HT from 7/1/05 to 8/31/06, with review of prescription records of AM use and adherence from 9/1/06 to 8/31/07. Adherence was calculated as proportion of days covered (PDC).

Of 3079 eligible people, 280 (9%) had claims for HT: 51% male, mean age 42 ± 13, and 81% Caucasian. Of these, 280 (72%) had claims for at least 1 AM; 57% received ≥2 AM. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers were most commonly prescribed (65%) followed by diuretics (50%), beta blockers (34%), and calcium channel blockers (26%). Mean PDCs by class ranged from 0.622 to 0.693: 55% had a PDC ≥0.80, a common goal for adherence. Younger individuals were more likely to be adherent (p <0.05), but adherence was not significantly associated with comorbid conditions, gender, or race.

Of our cohort of adults with DD, 9% had HT of whom 72% submitted claims for AMs. A substantial proportion of subjects had inconsistent AM use suggesting suboptimal therapy. The association between younger ages and higher adherence may reflect better community-based support for younger adults. Further work is needed to identify barriers to optimal care for this vulnerable population.