Evaluation of medication adherence patterns amongst anti-hypertensive drug users in a tertiary care hospital in north India

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence to prescribed medications is a major barrier in management of chronic diseases like hypertension, which can lead to treatment failure and can increase morbidity, mortality and health care costs. The objective of this study was to assess the level of adherence of hypertensive patients to their anti-hypertensive medications and various factors influencing the adherence among these patients.Methods: A cross sectional, observational, questionnaire based study was carried out amongst 70 patients diagnosed with hypertension. Adherence was measured using Morisky medication adherence score questionnaire (MMAS-8). Co-relation of various factors like age, sex, education level, number of drugs taken, presence of concomitant diseases etc. were assessed. Univariate and multivariate analysis was done to determine the factors associated with adherence.Results: The mean age of 70 patients (35 male, 35 female) were 52.29±11.39 years. Using MMAS-8, high, medium and low adherence was seen in 58.6%, 20.0% and 21.4% patients respectively. Middle age group patients were more adherent (60.8%) than younger age group and elderly (37.5%) (p-value <0.05). Adherence rates were comparable in men and women. There was a positive correlation of adherence with education level, knowledge of BP goals and presence of diabetes. It showed negative correlation with chronicity of hypertension and number of drugs taken.Conclusions: Medication adherence rate was found to be low in the present study. The level of adherence to treatment among the participants can be achieved through better health promotion and education strategies.