Abstract

MEDICATION ADHERENCE RATING OF PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Anjana Brijith Johnson, Anu Sebastian, Anusha Sudulaguntla, Arpitha Chinnu Sabu*, Swetha Meka and Basavaraj K. Nanjwade

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study was to analyse the adherence of patients towards antihypertensive medication using Medication Adherence Rating Scale, to identify the leading cause of non-adherence and to provide patient counselling to improve adherence and quality of life of the patient. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) questionnaire was asked during patient interview. Explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Adherence was measured based on various parameters such as demographic factors, clinical characteristics, and medication taking characteristics. It was measured before and after patient counselling to see improvement in adherence. In the study period of 6 months 150 cases were collected. It was found that elderly patients >60 years of age showed more adherence. 59% of the patients were males and they showed 91% adherence. Literates were 92% adherent while illiterates showed 83% adherence. Those who were suffering from hypertension for longer duration from 1-10 years were found to be more adherent to drug therapy (86-97%). People from Urban area were of 21% and showed 94% adherence. Two third of the study population were unaware about the complications of hypertension. Patients who followed a proper diet showed more adherence to medication than who did not follow. Those who went for follow up at least once a year or more number of times a year showed comparatively better adherence. 49% of people had comorbid condition and they showed 91% adherence. During the first visit only 35.5% of the people were completely adherent. But after patient counselling and proper interaction, the percentage of adherence increased to 73.3%. Among the factors affecting adherence, Forgetfulness, ignorance, aloneness, were found to be the major cause of non-adherence followed by poverty and lack of transportation. Adherence of the patient can be improved by establishing a good patient-provider relationship and giving proper patient counselling to patient or their relatives.. Patients should be reminded to take their medications at the right time, to come for follow up, to regularly measure BP and to have proper diet.

Keywords: Medication Adherence, Antihypertensive, Tertiary Care, MARS