title: Evaluation of medication adherence in Lebanese hypertensive patients.
abstract: Controlling hypertension is essential in cardiovascular diseases. Poor medication adherence is associated with poor disease outcomes, waste of healthcare resources, and contributes to reduced blood pressure control. This study evaluates treatment adherence to antihypertensive therapy in Lebanese hypertensive patients by estimating the proportion of adherent hypertensive patients using a validated tool and investigates what factors predict this behavior. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a random sample of 210 hypertensive outpatients selected from clinics located in tertiary-care hospitals and from private cardiology clinics located in Beirut. Adherence level was measured using a validated 8-item Modified Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMMAS). Among 210 patients, 50.5% showed high adherence, 27.1% medium adherence, and 22.4% low adherence to medication. Mean MMMAS score was 6.59±2.0. In bivariate analyses, having controlled blood pressure (p=0.003) and taking a combination drug (p=0.023) were predictors of high adherence. Forgetfulness (p<0.01), complicated drug regimen (p=0.001), and side effects (p=0.006) were predictors of low adherence after multiple liner regression. Logistic regression results showed that calcium channel blockers (p=0.030) were associated with increased adherence levels. In conclusion, developing multidisciplinary intervention programs to address the factors identified, in addition to educational strategies targeting healthcare providers, are necessary to enhance patient adherence.
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yassine
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Hajje
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Sanaa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Awada
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Samar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rachidi
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Salam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zein
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bawab
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Mayssam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bou Zeid
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El Hajj
authors.affiliation: Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy Department, Doctoral School of Sciences & Technology, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. Electronic address: pascalesalameh1@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Pascale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Salameh
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Blood pressure; Hypertension; Lebanon; Medication adherence; Morisky scale