Medication adherence is associated with having a caregiver among cardiac patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medication non-adherence is a significant contributor to suboptimal control of blood pressure and lipids. PURPOSE: This study determined if having a paid and/or family caregiver was associated with medication adherence in patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to the cardiovascular service at a university medical center who completed a standardized questionnaire about medication adherence and caregiving (paid/professional or family member/friend) were included in this analysis (N = 1,432; 63 % white; 63%male). RESULTS: Among cardiac patients, 39 % reported being prescribed ≥ 7 different medications, and one in four reported being non-adherent to their medication(s). Participants who reported having/planning to have a paid caregiver were 40 % less likely to be non-adherent to their medications compared to their counterparts. The association remained significant after adjustment for demographic confounders and comorbid conditions (OR = 0.49; 95 %CI = 0.29-0.82). CONCLUSION: Cardiac patients with a paid caregiver were half as likely to be non-adherent to medications as those without caregivers.