Predictors of Non-Adherence to Medications in Hypertensive  Patients

Aleksandra  Nikolic; Sonja  Djuric; Vladimir  Biocanin; Katarina   Djordjevic; Marko  Ravic; Aleksandra  Stojanovic; Olivera  Milovanovic; Jasmina  Skerlic; Radisa  Pavlovic; Tamara Nikolic  Turnic

doi:10.18502/ijph.v52i6.12960

Aleksandra Nikolic Clinic for Rheumatology, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Clinical Centre Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Sonja Djuric Gentext Research group, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Vladimir Biocanin Faculty of Dentistry, University of Bussines Academy, Novi Sad, Serbia
Katarina Djordjevic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Marko Ravic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Aleksandra Stojanovic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Olivera Milovanovic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Jasmina Skerlic Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Pristina, Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia
Radisa Pavlovic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
Tamara Nikolic Turnic Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijph.v52i6.12960

Keywords: Adherence; Hypertension; Risk factors; Questionnaire

Abstract

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) is one of the leading causes for developing major cardiovascular events and still represents a major public health challenge worldwide. We aimed to provide data on predictors of poor adherence to medication in hypertensive patients in Serbia.

Methods: Observational, analytical study was undertaken at a group of 388 patients who refilled their medications in the Pharmacy Institution, “Apoteka Kragujevac”, Kragujevac, Serbia between Jan and Mar 2019. Afterward, we conducted a case-control study to evaluate the influence of the variables associated with the adherence. We used a self-developed questionnaire and SF-36 to assess the influence of the quality of life on medication adherence.

Results: Results revealed four independent predictors of non-adherence: increased number of medications, living in a city, forgetfulness of the dosing regimen and low energy. The odds of non-adherence were the highest among the participants living in the city and the low energy was the only factor inversely associated with the level of non-adherence.

Conclusion: Many factors were associated with the non-adherence to medication. Further studies are needed to find the most appropriate protocol to promote adherence. The four risk factors (increased number of medications, living in a city, forgetfulness of the dosing regimen and low energy) are associated with non-adherence in adult hypertensive patients.