title: Maximizing medication adherence in low-income hypertensives: a pilot study.
abstract: A pilot study was conducted to examine the association between free medication and comprehensive care on blood pressure control for 60 adults with uncontrolled essential hypertension (mean blood pressure = 157/96 mm Hg) referred from a variety of primary care clinics at a public teaching hospital. Subjects received comprehensive care, free antihypertensive medication dispensed in the clinic, and patient education regarding hypertension and medication compliance. Matched-pair t-tests revealed average drops in blood pressure of 22 mm Hg systolic and 13 mm Hg diastolic for the entire sample from baseline to 6 months post-enrollment (both P's < .001). The comprehensive hypertension management program with education and free medication was significantly related to reduced blood pressure across the 6 months of the study period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Applegate
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mehan
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: McKnight
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Brantley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008145:Louisiana; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents