Are blood pressure values compatible with medication adherence in hypertensive patients?

Abstract

Background and Aim: In the management of hypertension (HT), maintaining the medication adherence with treatment is as important as starting treatment. Studies have shown that the majority of patients taking medication do not reach their target values. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the patient medication adherence and blood pressure (BP) values and reflection to general well‑being.

Material and Methods: The study included 259 primary HT patients. The patients with BP measurements completed the Medication Adherence Self‑Efficacy Scale‑Short Form 13 and the World Health Organization‑5 (WHO‑5) well‑being index. A Holter device was attached, and 24 h BP monitoring was completed.

Results: The mean points for medication adherence scale was 29.2 ± 10.3 (1–40) and mean WHO‑5 points was 13.7 ± 4.6 (4–25) for patients. Clinical mean systolic BP was 140.0 ± 12.6 and diastolic 84.8 ± 9.0 mm Hg, while 24 h mean BP was systolic 119.5 ± 10.6 and diastolic 73.3 ± 8.1 mm Hg. While there was negative correlation between medication adherence scale scores and clinical systolic BP (r = −0.171; P = 0.006), there was no correlation with other BP readings. There was no correlation with the WHO‑5 score and clinical readings, though there was a positive correlation between ambulatory mean systolic and diastolic BP (r = 0.141; P = 0.023 and r = 0.123; P = 0.049, respectively). There was positive correlation between the patient’s medication adherence scores and the WHO‑5 scores (r = 0.141; P = 0.023).

Conclusion: When clinicians assess medication adherence of patients, they should benefit from objective BP measurements and scales. Subjective and objective findings are important while making clinical decision.

Keywords: Ambulatory blood pressure, hypertensive patients, medication adherence, treatment, well‑being