Treatment adherence and quality of life in patients on antihypertensive medications in a Middle Eastern population: adherence.
BACKGROUND
Poor adherence to antihypertensive treatment remains a clinical challenge worldwide. The objectives of this study were to assess the adherence level to antihypertensive treatment and to identify its associated factors in a sample of hypertensive patients in Lebanon and Jordan.


METHODS
We conducted an observational study between May 2011 and September 2012. A total of 1,470 eligible hypertensive patients were enrolled in our study and followed up for a period of 6 months. Data were collected regarding sociodemographic, health behavior, and hypertension-related characteristics. The adherence to treatment and the quality of life were self-reported using the Morisky, Green & Levine Scale and the Hypertension Quality of Life Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Our results revealed that 55.9 % of the patients were adherent to their antihypertensive medication. Older age was associated with better adherence, whereas being divorced or widowed, having a poorer quality of life, and being classified as having stage 1 or 2 hypertension at the end of the study were all associated with poorer adherence.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts should be exerted on all levels in order to increase the adherence to anti-hypertensive treatment through the implementation of educational campaigns.
Cardiovascular Department, Jordan Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Imad A
IA
Alhaddad
Cardiology Department, Clemenceau Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Omar
O
Hamoui
Cardiology Department, Istishari Hospital, Amman, Jordan.
Ayman
A
Hammoudeh
Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology Division, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Samir
S
Mallat
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D004243:Divorce; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D007597:Jordan; D007861:Lebanon; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017805:Widowhood
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents
Green & Levine Scale; Hypertension Quality of Life Questionnaire; Jordan; Lebanon; Morisky; NC 7 guidelines; adherence