Medication adherence: a key factor in achieving blood pressure control and good clinical outcomes in hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
Patients' adherence to antihypertensive drug regimens is a complex but important factor in achieving blood pressure control and reducing adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Approximately one half of patients with hypertension adhere to prescribed medications, and fewer than one in three patients have controlled blood pressure.


RESULTS
Several recent studies have highlighted the importance of patient medication adherence and have outlined factors that affect patient compliance with prescribed therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of published studies, a conceptual framework of factors that affect patient adherence is presented. Recognizing patient nonadherence to medical therapy as a factor leading to poor blood pressure control and adverse outcomes remains a key challenge for clinicians caring for patients with hypertension.
Krousel-Wood
Marie
M
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. mawood@ochsner.org
Thomas
Sheila
S
Muntner
Paul
P
Morisky
Donald
D
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents