Patient perceptions, motivations and barriers to treatment adherence in hypertension: results of a questionnaire-based survey in five European countries.

Abstract

Aims: To assess perceptions, motivations and barriers to treatment adherence depending on emotional, lifestyle, medical and non-adherence risk profiles in hypertensive patients.

Methods and results: Cross-sectional data were obtained using an online anonymous survey. Four distinct global risk scores (medical, lifestyle, emotional and quality of life (QoL) and non-adherence risk scores) were calculated based on the responses to specific groups of questions. A total of 2615 treated hypertensive patients (≥18 years of age) from 5 European countries completed the questionnaire. Mean (SD) age was 69.6 years (5.8); 54% males. Overall, antihypertensive therapy represented a low burden in patients' daily life (2.9/10 in the Likert scale). Perfect self-reported adherence was claimed by 59.8% of participants. Reporting of non-adherence episodes to physicians was low (13% always/often). Participants with a high non-adherence risk score had a greater number of associated diseases (obesity, sleep disturbances, depression and cardiac complications), a higher treatment-associated burden on daily life, a greater stress level and more antihypertensive pills per day (p < 0.001 for all). No correlation was found between the clinical and lifestyle risk scores and the risk of non-adherence. The emotional score correlated significantly with the non-adherence risk score (p < 0.001). Comparing patients with a low/middle risk to those with a high risk of non-adherence, female gender and age >65 years were associated with a lower odd ratio of non-adherence whereas depression, stress, family hardships, negative information on drugs and poor information were associated with higher odds of non-adherence.

Conclusions: This large survey reveals several underestimated issues regarding patients' perspective in hypertension. It highlights the impact of emotions, exposure to family hardships, and stress on the risk of non-adherence. Non-adherence is underreported by patients; hence it remains mostly unrecognised.