Aim and Objectives: To study and assess the impact of medication adherence in patients suffering from hypertension.
Methodology: A prospective observational cohort study was conducted for a period of 6 months in a rural area of Guntur. A total of 300 hypertensive patients who were newly diagnosed or suffering from hypertension since 3 years were recruited. Blood pressure was measured by using a sphygmomanometer and other demographics were collected. Medication adherence was assessed using the HILL-BONE compliance to high blood pressure therapy scale (HILL-BONE CHBPTS).
Results: Hill-Bone scores were analyzed in the aspects of medication compliance, salt usage, appointment keeping and observed a modest improvement in all aspects with an average of 8.49.
Conclusion: Proper treatment and awareness about medication and their usage will improve medication adherence. Good medication adherence not only improves the clinical outcomes, it is also having a great impact on improving the quality of life and reducing health care costs which are due to complications and co-morbidities of hypertension. Clinical pharmacists play a vital role in improving the adherence by providing periodic counselling, which in turn helps to reduce the burden of illness.
