Improving patient compliance with hypertension treatment: mission possible?

Hypertension, the leading cause of mortality and the third largest cause of disability, is poorly controlled worldwide. The failure to control hypertension takes an unacceptable toll on patients and their families. In addition to the personal cost, to the individual patient, uncontrolled hypertension creates huge, avoidable economic burdens when viewed in terms of the general population. Almost one-half of patients drop out entirely from treatment within 1 year. This review summarizes key challenges related to hypertension management with special focus on patient compliance. Firstly, we will present consequences of poor blood pressure control. Secondly, methods of patient compliance assessment will be reviewed. Thirdly, we will present recent studies assessing adherence with hypertension treatment. Finally, we will review potential solutions to improve patient compliance and blood pressure control which are of crucial importance for reduction of hypertension-related morbidity and mortality.

Survey of patient and physician assessment of a compliance reminder device in the treatment of hypertension.

Low compliance to therapeutic regimens can have serious impact on patient health. A variety of technologies such as tablet dispensers and reminders has been developed to improve compliance. The aim of this study was to assess the acceptance of patients and physicians with regard to the functions and usefulness of a reminder device. The respondents were participants in a trial evaluating antihypertensive medical treatment. Patients and treating physicians received a self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the device; 1194 patients and their physicians completed the questionnaire. Seventy-three per cent of patients stated that they always or mostly used the device. Overall, 78% of patients and 83% of physicians assessed the device positively. The reminder and feedback functions were assessed similarly. Sixty-four per cent of the patients stated that they would like to continue to use the device, as did 71% of the physicians. The reminder device was well accepted by a majority of patients and physicians in this study. Acceptance is an important factor for such a device to be used in everyday life and a majority of respondents wanted to continue using it. The current device could be a major help for patients on chronic medication therapy in a variety of therapies.