ADHERENCE TO ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the adherence to antihypertensive treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated variables. Design and method: Cross-sectional study was performed with outpatient, from a Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were: age >18 years old, telephone number, in treatment for at least six months. Pregnant women were excluded. The period defined to characterize the assessment of social distance due to the COVID-19 pandemic was from March, 24 until August, 31. Hypertensive patients were interviewed by telephone. The adherence to treatment was assessed by Morisky and Green scale and the BP control was systolic BP < 140 mmHg and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg. Biosocial data, habits and lifestyles and attitudes towards social distancing measures were evaluated. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. The significance level was p< = 0.05. Results: The sample was 281 hypertensive patients: 62.3% women; 66 (14) years old; 348,7 (255,8) $USA monthly income; 43.8% completed high school; 60.5% white; 47.0% married; and 59.1% retired. It was found that 58.7% were adherent to antihypertensive treatment and BP control was 51.6%. The systolic BP was 138.5 (22.7) mmHg and diastolic BP was 77.3 (14.4) mmHg. As for drug treatment, 55.2% of hypertensive patients received the drugs sent by the hospital pharmacy via mail, 63.9% reported that during the COVID-19 pandemic there was a problem in receiving the drugs and 10% was without antihypertensive sometime at home. The variables associated with treatment adherence were: race black (OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.21 – 0.73), education elementary school II (OR 2.97; 95% CI: 1.24 – 7.06), stayed without antihypertensive at home someday from quarantine (OR 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17 – 0.95) and diastolic BP (OR 0.98; CI: 0.96 – 0.99). During the period of the pandemic evaluated, it was also observed that 77.6% reported leaving home, 13.5% had contact with people with the disease and 91.8% reported not feeling safe to leave the house after the end of quarantine. Conclusions: The rate of non-adherence to antihypertensive treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic was high and was associated with unfavorable biosocial variables.