Antihypertensive medication adherence among acute aortic dissection survivors was 64% at a median of 7.1 years post-discharge, with non-adherence significantly associated with recurrent chest pain.
Cross-Sectional (n=74)
No
Medication adherence in aortic dissection survivors is suboptimal (64%), and non-adherence is associated with increased recurrence of chest pain, highlighting the need for patient education.
BACKGROUND 74 patients completed the section of the survey pertaining to medication adherence (response rate 38%). Morisky score was ≥1.0 for 27 (36%) patients and 0 for 47 (64%) patients. Thirty three patients reported yes to 'forget to take medications' and eight reported yes to 'careless with medications.' Medication non-adherence (defined as a score of ≥1.0 on Morisky) was associated with increased follow up recurrence of chest pain at one year of follow up. Only two patients stopped their antihypertensive on their own and did not cite a reason for doing this. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: The medication adherence rate for patients who survived an AAD was 64 per cent at a median (Q1, Q3) of 7.1 yr (5.6, 11.5) after discharge, as per the Morisky scale. The clinicians should educate their patients on the importance of antihypertensive therapy and assess for forgetfulness and carelessness at each clinic visit, as well as understand patients' beliefs about drug therapy, all of which have been shown to increase medication adherence.
Chaddha et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute aortic dissection (n=74). Antihypertensive medications was evaluated on Medication adherence (Morisky score of 0). Antihypertensive medication adherence among acute aortic dissection survivors was 64% at a median of 7.1 years post-discharge, with non-adherence significantly associated with recurrent chest pain.