[Does the system of prescription issuance influence the therapeutic compliance of hypertensive patients?].
OBJECTIVE
To find out whether the system for issuing prescriptions is linked to the therapeutic compliance and control of the blood pressure of a group of hypertense patients, and to quantify compliance with hypertension treatment through an indirect measurement method (counting pills).


METHODS
Crossover, descriptive study.


METHODS
Torrelodones Health District (Madrid).


METHODS
54 patients known to be hypertense, of which 27 collected their prescriptions over the counter with no need for a doctor's appointment and 27 received them at a consultation with their doctor.


RESULTS
To measure the therapeutic compliance, first a phone call and then a surprise visit to the patient's home were made. At this visit, all the hypertension drugs prescribed were counted. It was specified that patients would be considered compliant if they had a compliance rate of 80-110%. 53.7% of the patients were considered good compliers and 46.3% bad compliers (of whom 37% were under-compliers and 9.3% over-compliers). The statistical analysis found that 59.3% of the patients who collected their prescriptions over the counter were good compliers, whereas 48.1% of those who did so at a medical consultation were (p = 0.41). 7.4% of patients who collected their prescriptions over the counter controlled their blood pressure well, whereas 22% of those who collected them at a consultation did so (p = 0.12).


CONCLUSIONS
No statistically significant association was found between compliance and blood pressure figures, and systems of issuing prescriptions. The percentage of good compliers is high in comparison with other studies, but still insufficient.
González Sánchez
C
C
Centro de Salud de Torrelodones, Madrid.
Sanz Carabaña
P
P
Alvarez Montero
S
S
Bermejo Fernández
F
F
Gallego Casado
P
P
la Torre del Carmen
L
L
D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
Influye el sistema de entrega de recetas en el cumplimiento terapéutico de los pacientes hipertensos?