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Treatment adherence among patients with hypertension: findings from a cross-sectional study
Fahad M Algabbani1, Aljoharah M Algabbani2
1Family Medicine Department, Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh, Riyadh Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Hypertension medication adherence is suboptimal, with only 42.2% of patients adhering. Comorbidities, multiple medications, and poor disease knowledge are key factors associated with non-adherence in hypertensive patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Pharmacoeconomics
Background:
- Hypertension is a leading global cause of mortality, necessitating effective treatment adherence.
- Patient adherence to antihypertensive treatment is critical for managing blood pressure and preventing cardiovascular disease complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the adherence rate to antihypertensive medications among outpatients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- To identify factors associated with poor medication adherence in hypertensive patients.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 306 hypertensive outpatients aged 18 years and above.
- Systematic sampling was used, with adherence assessed via the Morisky scale.
- Logistic regression analysis identified predictors of non-adherence, including demographics, health status, and medication-related factors.
Main Results:
- Only 42.2% of participants demonstrated adherence to antihypertensive medications.
- Comorbid conditions and polypharmacy were significantly associated with lower medication adherence (P<0.004, P<0.009).
- Patients with good knowledge of hypertension were seven times more likely to adhere to medication (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications is prevalent, requiring continuous monitoring, especially in high-risk groups.
- Patients with comorbidities and those on multiple medications are at increased risk of non-adherence.
- Enhanced patient knowledge regarding hypertension and its complications is a crucial factor in improving medication adherence.
Background:
Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality globally. Patient's adherence to treatment is a cornerstone factor in controlling hypertension and its complications. This study assesses hypertension patients' adherence to treatment and its associated factors.
Methods:
This cross-sectional study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study targeted outpatients aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with hypertension. Participants were recruited using a systemic sampling technique. The two main measurements were assessing adherence rate of antihypertensive medications using Morisky scale and identifying predictors of poor medication adherence among hypertensive patients including socio-economic and demographic data, health status, clinic visits, medication side effects, medications availability, and knowledge. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess factors associated with poor adherence.
Results:
A total of 306 hypertensive outpatients participated in this study. 42.2% of participants were adherent to antihypertensive medications. Almost half of participants (49%) who reported having no comorbidities were adherent to antihypertensive medications compared to participants with one or more than one comorbidities 41, 39% respectively. The presence of comorbid conditions and being on multiple medications were significantly associated with medication adherence (P-values, respectively, < 0.004, < 0.009). Patients with good knowledge about the disease and its complications were seven times more likely to have good adherence to medication (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
Non-adherence to medications is prevalent among a proportion of hypertensive patients which urges continuous monitoring to medication adherence with special attention to at risks groups of patients. Patients with comorbidities and on multiple medications were at high risk of medication non-adherence. Patients' knowledge on the disease was one of the main associated factors with non-adherence.
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