Adhesion to drug therapy and quality of life of patients with hypertension seen in a Family Health Unit

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In Brazil, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in men and women. There are several risk factors for the development of cardiovascular diseases, standing out among them high blood pressure. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the adhesion to drug therapy and the quality of life of hypertensive patients, and to determine possible associations between the variables assessed in relation to adhesion or not to drug therapy. METHODS: It’s a cross-sectional, descriptive study with a quantitative approach. Data concerning sociodemographic variables, lifestyle, clinical features, adhesion to therapy (Morisky-Green Test) and quality of life (WHOQOL-bref) were collected, about patients seen in a Family Health Unit. RESULTS: Only 37,1% of the patients had adhesion to drug therapy. Go to the health family unit less than six times per year (OR=18,2; CI=1,9-172,1; p=0,01), not practicing physical activities (OR=4,9; CI=1,2-20,0; p=0,02), and monthly family income per capita of up to one minimal wage (OR=4,5; CI=1,2-18,8; p=0,04) were associated to not adhering to treatment. The scores for Psychological (p<0,01) and Environment (p=0,04) quality of life domains were worse for patients without adhesion to treatment. CONCLUSION: Strategies are needed to improve hypertense patients’ adhesion to drug therapy, aiming at a better control of the disease, prevention of complications and improvement of quality of life.

Keywords: Hypertension; Quality of Life; Treatment Refusal.