Adherence to therapeutic regimens in patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND: Based on epidemiological research, there is a close relationship between cardiovascular problems and hypertension. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the rate of adherence to therapeutic regimens and its related factors in hypertensive outpatients admitted to teaching hospitals affiliated to Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran. METHODS: In this descriptive study, 120 hypertensive outpatients who were admitted to four outpatient clinics in Urmia were selected during 2010. Demographic and disease-related data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire. Patients’ level of adherence was determined by the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale. After assessing the validity and reliability of the questionnaires, they were filled out through interviews. RESULTS: The participants’ mean scores of adherence to medication, diet, and appointment keeping were 94.77 ± 6.65 percent (range: 72-100%), 91.53 ± 9.60 percent (range: 50-100%), and 86.56 ± 17.76 percent (range: 12-100%), respectively. There were significant relationships between patients’ drug adherence and different levels of income, number of pills taken each day, and the frequency of blood pressure control. CONCLUSION: As adherence to therapeutic regimens is an important factor in blood pressure control among hypertensive patients, adherence rates in different age groups and different locations should be evaluated. Furthermore, investigations on inpatients can reveal other factors affecting rates of adherence to treatment.