Adherence and blood-pressure response to hypertension treatment.
2 years of experience in the first phase of a large cooperative national hypertension programme yielded data indicating that a good level of patient adherence can be achieved and that satisfactory blood-pressure control can be maintained long term. For 116 participants, all employed persons, dropout in the first year was 20% but only 3% dropped out  in the second year. At the second annual examination, 82% of those still in the programme had diastolic pressures under 90 mm Hg, with an average reduction of 18 mm Hg. Thus, nearly two-thirds (64%) of all patients originally enrolled were both active and with normal levels of blood-pressure after two years. Only 18% of active programme-treated patients had diastolic pressure 90 mm Hg or higher at the second anniversary in contrast with 33% of patients referred to their own doctors. In programme-treated patients, standard medication was used; diuretics effectively lowered blood-pressure in a third of patients, and diuretics plus reserpine were effective for another 20%. Special features of the programme included assistance to physicians by health counsellor therapists. Methods for achieving a high adherence-rate and satisfactory blood-pressure control probably have wider applicability.
D000328:Adult; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D003256:Community Participation; D004232:Diuretics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007087:Illinois; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012041:Regional Medical Programs; D012110:Reserpine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors
D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D012110:Reserpine