Relationship between blood pressure levels and adherence to medication in patients with chronic heart failure: how come?
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether change in objective signs during up-titration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitors in patients with chronic heart failure affect perception of information about medicines and subjective activities such as self-care.


METHODS
Consecutive patients referred for up-titration of ACE-inhibitors were included. Patients were given the Satisfaction with Information about Medicines Scale and the European Heart Failure Self-Care Behaviour Scale at their first visit and when the target dose was reached. Blood pressure, pulse and s-creatinine were measured at each visit.


RESULTS
Relationships were found between change in systolic (r = 0.224, p = 0.044) and diastolic (r = 0.361, p = 0.001) blood pressure and change in self-care scores and were also observed at baseline (r = 0.324, 0.398, p = 0.001, 0.000) and follow-up (r = 0.317, 0.253, p = 0.004, 0.022). Diastolic blood pressure correlated with the "potential problem of medication" score (r= -0.263, p = 0.007).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with a more advanced disease usually have a lower blood pressure. Hence, the relationship between blood pressure and self-care scores might indicate that patients are more motivated to adhere to prescriptions the more advanced the stage of their disease.
Department of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Goteborg University, Goteborg, Sweden. mahsa@student.gu.se
Mahsa
M
Mohammadi
Inger
I
Ekman
Maria
M
Schaufelberger
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012648:Self Care; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents