Quality of life and medication adherence in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the correlation between medication adherence and quality of life for hypertensive people attended at Basic Health Units (UBS - Unidade Básica de Saúde). Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study with a random and representative sample. The correlation between quality of life and medication adherence was evaluated by using the Minichal Brazil and the Morisky scale of medication adherence. Results: The study included 720 people monitored in 13 Basic Health Units. The mean age was 62.5 years old. The Spearman's coefficient revealed an inverse (Rho = -0.130) and statistically significant (p = 0.001) correlation of low magnitude. Conclusion: The inverse correlation means that greater adherence (higher scores of Morisky scale) equals better quality of life (lower scores of Brazil Minichal scale). The weak correlation between quality of life and medication adherence reinforces the idea that quality of life for hypertensive people is related to other factors, suggesting further research.