Anxiety and Depression among Hypertensive Patients and Its Effect on Medication Adherence.

Background: Hypertension is a prevalent chronic condition with significant health implications. Effective management critically relies on patient adherence to prescribed medication regimens. However, mental health disorders like anxiety and depression may influence adherence behaviors. This study aimed to examine the association between anxiety, depression, and medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 296 hypertensive patients from ten primary health care centers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess anxiety and depression levels, respectively. Medication adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple linear regression.

Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depression varied, with 34.5% reporting mild anxiety, 22.0% moderate anxiety, and 30.4% mild depression. Medication adherence was suboptimal, with 49.3% classified as low adherence. A statistically significant association was observed between anxiety and medication non-adherence (p = 0.007), with higher anxiety levels linked to poorer adherence. However, the relationship between depression and adherence was not significant (p = 0.419). Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed anxiety as a significant negative predictor of medication adherence (B = -1.103, p = 0.016), while depression did not significantly influence adherence.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the detrimental impact of anxiety on medication adherence among hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia. Routine screening for anxiety and implementation of integrated care approaches addressing mental health concerns are crucial for improving adherence and overall disease management.