Treatment adherence and quality of life in patients on antihypertensive medications in a Middle Eastern population: adherence

Abstract

Background

Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment remains a clinical challenge worldwide. The objectives of this study were to assess the adherence level to antihypertensive treatment and to identify its associated factors in a sample of hypertensive patients in Lebanon and Jordan.

Methods

We conducted an observational study between May 2011 and September 2012. A total of 1,470 eligible hypertensive patients were enrolled in our study and followed up for a period of 6 months. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic, health behavior, and hypertension-related characteristics. The adherence to treatment and the quality of life were self-reported using the Morisky, Green & Levine Scale and the Hypertension Quality of Life Questionnaire.

Results

Our results revealed that 55.9 % of the patients were adherent to their antihypertensive medication. Older age was associated with better adherence, whereas being divorced or widowed, having a poorer quality of life, and being classified as having stage 1 or 2 hypertension at the end of the study were all associated with poorer adherence.

Conclusion

Efforts should be exerted on all levels in order to increase the adherence to anti-hypertensive treatment through the implementation of educational campaigns.

Keywords:

• adherence
• NC 7 guidelines
• Morisky
• Green & Levine Scale
• Hypertension Quality of Life Questionnaire
• Lebanon
• Jordan

Acknowledgments

We thank Professor Donald Morisky for his helpful review and editorial assistance. This study was supported by funding from AstraZeneca.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.