PATIENT'S PERSPECTIVES ON TREATMENT ADHERENCE IN HYPERTENSION: RESULTS OF AN ESH SURVEY IN POLAND

Abstract

Objective: The ESH Working group on Lifestyle, Cardiovascular Therapy and Adherence has developed a web-based questionnaire in different languages to investigate patients’ perspectives on hypertension and treatment adherence. The objective of this survey was to decipher patients’ perception of motivations for and barriers to treatment adherence in hypertension. Design and method: In Poland, a dedicated recruitment strategy has been developed to invite adult patients to complete the survey via targeted information on patient group websites and social media only. In other countries a direct communication from healthcare professional to patient was preferred. Data were collected from May to September 2022. Descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results: We included 1359 participants (962 men (71%); 67% were hypertensive for >5 years, 88% were treated with antihypertensive medications for at least 3 months). The total median number of tablets taken every day was 4 of which 2 were antihypertensive medications. Antihypertensive medications were prescribed most frequently once (56%) or twice (36%) daily. On a 10-point Likert scale, participants reported a modest impact of hypertension on their quality of life (4), social and family life (2). The median level of stress was 5 out of 10 points. Ninety two of patients performed self-blood pressure measurements at home, most frequently every day (34%) and a few times a week (28%). Self-reported adherence to treatment was perfect in 43% of patients, very high in 30% and intermediate-low in 26% of patients. Main reasons for low adherence to medication included forgetfulness (41%), improvement in well-being (15%), side effects (14%) and running out of medications (11%). The most useful approaches to support adherence reported by participants were cheaper and single-pill combinations as well as leaflets providing better information on treatment. Information provided by physicians on hypertension and its treatment was considered sufficient only for 54% of patients. Conclusions: In a web-based ESH survey in Poland, over 1,300 participants reported a modest impact of hypertension on their quality of life and a moderate level of anxiety, usually non-intentional non-adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medications, and the necessity to improve the information provided to them.