title: Adherence to Treatment in Hypertension.
abstract: The lack of adherence to treatment in hypertension affects approximately 30 % of patients. The elderly, those with several co-morbidities, social isolation, low incomes or depressive symptoms are the most vulnerable to this problem. There is no ideal method to quantify the adherence to the treatment. Indirect methods are recommended in clinical practice. Any intervention strategy should not blame the patient and try a collaborative approach. It is recommended to involve the patient in decision-making. The clinical interview style must be patient-centered including motivational techniques. The improvement strategies that showed greater effectiveness in the compliance of hypertension treatment were: treatment simplification, appointment reminders systems, blood pressure self-monitoring, organizational improvements and nurse and pharmacists care. The combination of different interventions are recommended against isolated interventions.
authors.affiliation: Mariñamansa-A Cuña Health Center, Galician Health Service, Centro de Saúde Marinamansa - A Cuña, Dr. Peña Rey 2b, SERGAS (Servicio Galego de Saúde), CP 32005, Ourense, Spain. carlos.menendez.villalva@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Carlos Menéndez
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Villalva
authors.affiliation: Mariñamansa-A Cuña Health Center, Galician Health Service, Centro de Saúde Marinamansa - A Cuña, Dr. Peña Rey 2b, SERGAS (Servicio Galego de Saúde), CP 32005, Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Xosé Luís López
authors.initials: XLL
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Muiño
authors.affiliation: Pontedeva Health Center, Galician Health Service, Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Trinidad Gamarra
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Mondelo
authors.affiliation: Carballo Health Center, Galician Health Service, Corunna, Spain.
authors.forename: Alfonso Alonso
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fachado
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Center of Ourense, Ourense, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquín Cubiella
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Fernández
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
keywords: Hypertension; Medication adherence; Patient compliance