Adherence to treatment and evaluation of disease and therapy knowledge in Lebanese hypertensive patients

Figures & data

Table 1 Sociodemographic characteristics

Variables	Total participants, N=249 n (%)
Male sex	129 (51.8)
Female sex	120 (48.2)
Age (in years)
26–45	19 (7.6)
46–65	116 (46.6)
66 or older	114 (45.8)
Marital status
Single	8 (3.2)
Married	214 (86.0)
Divorced	1 (0.4)
Widowed	26 (10.4)
Education level
<High school	199 (80.0)
>High school	17 (7.0)
University	13 (5.0)
Other	20 (8.0)
Occupation
Not employed	107 (43.0)
Employed	49 (19.6)
Retired	91 (36.6)
Profession	1 (0.4)
Student	1 (0.4)
Location
Community pharmacy	141 (56.6)
Clinic	92 (37.0)
Hospital	16 (6.4)
Physician specialty
Cardiologist	243 (97.6)
General practitioner	5 (2.0)
Other	1 (0.4)

Note: The bold data indicate the highest percentage.

Table 2 Blood pressure and body dimensions

Body dimensions	Mean ± SD
Weight (kg)	80.94±14.95
Height (cm)	168.18±8.91
Systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	138.95±18.35
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)	87.2±7.13
Body mass index (kg/m^2)	n (%)
<18.5	2 (0.8)
18.5–24.9	54 (21.7)
25.0–29.9	105 (42.2)
30.0–34.9	58 (23.3)
35.0–39.9	28 (11.2)
≥40.0	2 (0.8)

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 3 General health information and illness perceptions

Variables	Total participants, N=249 n (%)
Time of hypertension onset
Before 2005	102 (41.0)
2005–2010	55 (22.0)
2011–2015	92 (37.0)
Patients who know about blood pressure reading	211 (84.7)
Initial blood pressure reading, specified by patients
140–150 mmHg	23 (11.0)
160–200 mmHg	158 (75.0)
>200 mmHg	30 (14.0)
Patients who understand the underlying cause	182 (73.0)
Emergency room visits or hospitalization for high blood pressure	152 (61.0)
Presence of concomitant diseases	89 (35.7)
If yes,
After being diagnosed with hypertension	71 (79.5)
Before being diagnosed with hypertension	18 (20.5)
Patient interest or health goals to aging well
Reducing stress	200 (80.3)
Losing weight	23 (9.2)
Eating better	15 (6)
Exercising	11 (4.5)

Note: The bold data indicate the highest percentage.

Table 4 Medication information and adherence patterns

Variables	Total participants, N=249 n (%)
Pharmacological category of antihypertensive medication
Combination drug	167 (67.1)
Beta-blockers	31 (12.5)
Calcium channel blockers	25 (10.0)
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II-receptor blocker	24 (9.6)
Diuretics	2 (0.8)
Patients being currently treated	130 (52.0)
If treatment was modified, give the reason
Uncontrolled hypertension	63 (53.0)
Drug was not tolerated	49 (41.0)
Other reasons	7 (6.0)
Self-medicating patients with non-prescription medications	29 (11.6)
If yes, class of non-prescription medications
Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs	26 (89.6)
Decongestants	2 (6.9)
Contraceptive drugs	1 (3.5)
Use of supplements or alternatives to treat hypertension	169 (68.0)
If yes,
Supplements (omega 3, vitamin D, ginkgo, etc.)	71 (42.0)
Dietary approaches to stop hypertension diet	63 (37.3)
Physical activities	18 (10.7)
Food supplements	17 (10.0)
Patients adhering to physician’s prescription	212 (85.0)
If not, reason for non-adherence
Simple forgetfulness	33 (89.2)
Side effects	2 (5.4)
High medication cost	1 (2.7)
Do not need it/do not think about it	1 (2.7)

Note: The bold data indicate the highest percentage.

Table 5 Awareness, blood pressure information, and relationship with healthcare provider

Variables	Total participants, N=249 n (%)
Frequency of physician visit
No regular checkups	131 (52.6)
Monthly	24 (9.6)
Every 3–6 months	70 (28.1)
Once a year	24 (9.6)
Refilling medication after the initial prescription
Self-refill	155 (62.0)
Recontacting the physician	42 (17.0)
Patients told by physician to check their blood pressure at home	209 (84.0)
Patients who measure their blood pressure at home	179 (72.0)
Time of last reading
Same day/1 day earlier	42 (16.9)
Within the study week	52 (20.9)
Two weeks prior to study	121 (48.6)
Over 2 weeks prior to the study	34 (13.6)
Last blood pressure reading (systolic/diastolic blood pressure)
<100 mmHg/,80 mmHg	15 (6.0)
120/80 mmHg	147 (59.0)
160/100 mmHg	76 (30.5)
>160 mmHg >100 mmHg	11 (4.5)
Symptoms caused by uncontrolled blood pressure
Headaches	103 (41.4)
Dizziness	37 (14.9)
Blurry vision	29 (11.6)
Chest pain	25 (10.0)
None	21 (8.5)
Other	34 (13.6)
Patients who had their cholesterol levels checked	147 (59.0)
If yes, low-density lipoprotein measurement
100–120 mg/dL	7 (4.8)
130–159 mg/dL	15 (10.2)
≥160 mg/dL	35 (23.8)
Unknown	90 (61.2)
Patients educated by physician about risks of non-adherence	130 (52.2)
Patients’ opinion on the effect of non-compliance to medication on health status
Risk of associated health effects	242 (97.0)
No risk of associated health effects	5 (2.0)
Possibility of health effect risk/do not know	2 (1.0)
Use of special containers for medication packaging (pill, box, blister pack, etc.)	9 (3.6)
Patients who receive prescription refill reminders from physician or pharmacist	5 (2.0)

Note: The bold data indicate the highest percentage.

Table 6 Variables associated with medication adherence

Variables	Total participants, N=249 n (%)	p-value
Cardiologist	243 (97.6)	0.807
Health insurance	233 (93.6)	0.01*
Knowledge of the patient about blood pressure reading	211 (84.7)	0.093
Understanding of underlying cause	182 (73.1)	0.645
Blood pressure measured at home	179 (72.0)	0.205
Supplements or alternatives for hypertension treatment	169 (68.0)	0.746
Hospitalization for high blood pressure	152 (61.0)	0.168

Note:

* p<0.05 is considered significant.