Understanding adherence to blood pressure treatment and statins
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the psychological and behavioural determinants of medication non-adherence in a UK hypertensive population
IRAS ID
200751
Contact name
Gaby Judah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Hypertension is on of the largest single contributors to global mortality, and a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. About 30% of the UK population suffer from hypertension, and this is likely to rise over time. Anti-hypertensive medication is known to reduce long-term morbidity and mortality, but medication adherence is a significant problem with only around 50% of patients fully adherent to their medications over time. There has been work in the past across a variety of healthcare settings and contexts to look at the predictors of adherence and non-adherence, but there is a paucity of literature looking at medication adherence in hypertension within the UK healthcare system and population. Through identifying the psychological and behavioural determinants of medication non-adherence in this population the study will hopefully help to facilitate the design, implementation and evaluation of targeted interventions to improve medication adherence and clinical outcomes, drive patient-centric care and reduce waste.
Summary of results
In total, 236 participants completed the survey for antihypertensives, including 145 participants who completed the survey and urine test of adherence. For the statin survey, 233 participants competed the survey, with 125 who completed both the survey and the urine test.For patients completing the statin survey, 81.6% were found to be adherent according to the urine test, and 73.39% self-reported being fully adherent on the survey. For patients completing the antihypertensives survey, 88.97% were found to be fully adherent according to the urine test, and 80.08% self-reported being fully adherent on the survey.
The final analysis tested for which demographic and psychological variables still predicted self-reported adherence when taking into account all other variables. For people completing the survey about antihypertensives, we found that older people were significantly more likely to be adherent. People who intended to take their medications were more adherent. Forgetting, and having practical challenges to adherence were less likely to be adherent. Experienced side effects was kept in the model, but was not a significant predictor of adherence.
For the analysis of statin adherence, people who had been prescribed statins for 6 years or more were less likely to be adherent. Having intentions to take statins was associated with higher adherence. Forgetting, and experiencing side effects was associated with not being fully adherent, as was being optimistic about their health in the future.
REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0106
Date of REC Opinion
10 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion