Among elderly Medicaid enrollees newly starting antihypertensive therapy, average compliance was only 49% over 1 year, with better compliance associated with advanced age (OR 2.12) and White race.
Cohort (n=4,068)
Do demographic factors such as age, gender, and race affect compliance with antihypertensive therapy in elderly Medicaid enrollees?
Elderly Medicaid enrollees newly starting antihypertensive therapy exhibit poor compliance (covering only 49% of days on average), with lower compliance observed in Black patients and those under 85 years old.
Effect estimate: OR 2.12 for age ≥85; OR 0.55 for Blacks
OBJECTIVES: This study measured compliance and related demographic factors in a retrospective cohort of 4068 elderly outpatients newly starting antihypertensive therapy from 1982 through 1988. METHODS: Logistic regression modeling of data from the New Jersey Medicaid program was used. RESULTS: These patients filled antihypertensive prescriptions covering an average of only 179 days in the 365-day follow-up period (49%) Good compliance (> or = 80%) was associated with advanced age (odds ratio OR = 2.12, for patients 85 or older) and White race (OR = 0.55 for Blacks). There was no relationship between compliance and gender. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the efficacy of antihypertensive therapy in preventing cardiovascular morbidity, such high rates of noncompliance may contribute to suboptimal patient outcomes.
Monane et al. (1996) conducted a cohort in Hypertension (n=4,068). Antihypertensive therapy was evaluated on Compliance with antihypertensive therapy (OR 2.12 for age ≥85; OR 0.55 for Blacks). Among elderly Medicaid enrollees newly starting antihypertensive therapy, average compliance was only 49% over 1 year, with better compliance associated with advanced age (OR 2.12) and White race.
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