Adherence to medication in patients suffering from hypertension: A cross sectional study

Introduction: Hypertension is a global health challenge and responsible for about 12.8 percent of the total of all global deaths due to cardiovascular diseases. The prevention of cardiovascular disease requires long term adherence to antihypertensive medication. Studies have shown that over half of all hypertensive patients do not take any treatment and there is requirement of efforts on all levels to increase the adherence. Data on adherence to medication in patients suffering from hypertension is lacking hence we designed this study to assess the adherence to medication in patients suffering from hypertension. Materials and Method: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted participants suffering from hypertension for the past 12 months and on treatment. A detailed history, thorough medical examination, and counselling for life style modifications was done on all participants enrolled. The patients were given questionnaire of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) and WHO-QOL Bref to be filled up the questionnaire in a separate room. Results: A total of 152 patients participated in the study with mean number of medication used being 1.68±0.79/person, 74% of patients were taking combination of drugs and mean MMAS-8 Score was 4.30±1.07. The participants were subdivided into two groups, Group 1 (on single medication) and Group 2 (on two or more medications). Group 1 had significantly higher MMAS-8 scores and better quality of life. Conclusion: Patients' on single medication had significantly better adherence, slightly better quality of life and better adherence correlation as compared to patients on more than two medications.