Publication:

Study on compliance of anti-hypertensive drugs among hypertensive patients in urban health centre of a tertiary care hospital

Background Hypertension is a chronic condition of concern due to its role in the cardiovascular complications. Poor compliance is assumed to be an important explanation for inadequate blood pressure control, convincing evidence for the same is lacking. This study was undertaken to provide such evidence, so that corrective measures can be recommended to attain better BP control. The aims and objectives of the study were to study compliance pattern and side effects of anti-hypertensive drugs among the known hypertensive patients; to study role of different factors that influence the compliance rate such as age, number of medications, frequency and follow-up visits of antihypertensive medication.

Methods A total of 207 hypertensive patients were identified from the family folders maintained in the Urban Health Centre, RMMCH and included in the investigation. During first visits, socio-demographic, drug intake history was taken. Follow up was done every two months and thus totally six visits were completed.

Results Socio demographic factors like age, marital status, literacy, occupation and income have no role on the compliance status. Sex has significant association with the compliance level (86.1%), where males have 93.4% and females 82.7% compliance (p<0.05). BMI, exercise, smoking and alcohol, Type of the drug, doses frequency, combination therapy and regularity in refilling the prescription, have no association with compliance status. Frequency of clinical visits has significant association with compliance (visit fortnightly, monthly and occasionally is 94.1%, 85.1% and 75% respectively) p<0.05. Significant improvement (73.1%) improvement in compliance in the VI visit is seen among non-compliers from I visit (p<0.001).

Conclusions Simple once a day regimen and visits of the health provider improves the compliance and good blood pressure control.