Medication adherence and hospitalizations in older patients with coronary heart disease in Vietnam

Aim. This study aimed to assess medication adherence among older people with coronary heart disease and its relationship with hospitalizations. Methods. This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the outpatient clinics of a major hospital in Vietnam from November 2022 to June 2023. Consecutive older patients with coronary heart disease were recruited and followed for 6 months. Medication adherence was defined using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS5). Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine the impact of medication adherence on hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all cause hospitalization. Results. There were 643 participants. They had a mean age of 73 (SD 8), and 74.3% were male. Overall, 76.4% were classified as adherence. Over 6 months follow up, 23.3% of the participants admitted to hospital (9.2% were CVD hospitalization). The CVD hospitalization rate was significantly higher in the nonadherence group compared to the adherence group (13.8% versus 7.7%, p = 0.023, respectively). In logistic regression models, medication adherence was associated with a significant reduced odds of CVD hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.48, 95%CI 0.27-0.86). Medication adherence was also associated with a trend of reduced all cause hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.75, 95%CI 0.49-1.15). Conclusions. This study showed a positive relationship between medication adherence and reduced risk of CVD hospitalization in older people with coronary heart disease. Healthcare providers should consider incorporating adherence assessment into the long term care for older patients with coronary heart disease.