The drug adherence and lifestyle factors that contribute to blood pressure control among hypertensive patients

Objectives: To investigate drug adherence and lifestyle behaviors affecting the blood pressure (BP) control among hypertensive patients that have uncontrolled and controlled BP. Methods: Seventy-eight uncontrolled BP and 98 controlled BP hypertensive patients matched on age, gender, time since hypertension diagnosis and the number of antihypertensive drugs used were investigated using a standardized questionnaire to evaluate lifestyle behaviors, drug adherence, the use of complementary and alternative medicine, and health related quality of life. Drug-drug interactions were evaluated with an electronic drug reference software. Results: Not taking therapy when feeling better was observed significantly more frequently in the uncontrolled hypertensive group (OR: 0.297, %95 CI: 0.115-0.770). Uncontrolled BP hypertensive patients live more frequently in extended family settings (p = 0.043), they sleep less controlled BP hypertensive patients (OR: 0.749, %95 CI: 0.605-0.929). The groups did not differ statistically in terms of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use (p = 0.795) and informing doctors about the use of CAMs (p = 0.910). The EuroQol five-dimensional 3 level (EQ5D3L) questionnaire Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.011). In both groups over 70% of patients should be monitored for therapy due to drug interactions evaluation. Conclusions: Our study shows that increasing the drug adherence and sleeping hours and living in the nuclear family is associated with improvement in blood pressure control and health related quality of life. A comprehensive approach and good patient-physician communication and trust are essential for well-managed hypertension.