TEXT MY BP MEDS NOLA: A pilot study of text-messaging and social support to increase hypertension medication adherence

Abstract

Study objectiveNon-Hispanic Black (NHB) adults have high hypertension (HTN) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden. Medication nonadherence limits control and self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) improves diagnosis and adherence. This predominantly NHB cohort pilot, via community-clinical linkages, with uncontrolled HTN and low adherence, utilized bidirectional electronic messaging (BEM) with team-care, to assess medication adherence, quality of life, and BP. SettingAcademic clinic and community sources. DesignRecruitment included: uncontrolled HTN (BP ≥130/80 mm Hg), low adherence (Krousel-Wood Medication Adherence Scale (K-Wood-MAS-4) ≥1 score), and smartphone access. Participants and interventionsParticipants (N = 36) received validated Bluetooth-enabled BP devices, synced to smartphones, via a secured cloud-based application. Main outcome measuresDemographics, adherence scores, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) health-related quality of life (HRQOL-14), BP, body mass index (BMI), 8 weeks daily BEM, SMBP and text reminders were obtained. ResultsAge was 58.7 ± 12.8 years; BMI 34.8 ± 7.9; 63.9 % female; 88.9 % self-identified NHB adults; 72.2 % with obesity; 74.3 % with diabetes. K-Wood-MAS-4 adherence composite score improved: 2.19 to 1.58 (median −0.5, p = 0.0001). Systolic BP decreased by 10.5 ± 20.0 mm Hg (median −11.0, p = 0.0027). QOL did not significantly change. Mean 7-day average SBP/DBP differences were −4.94 ± 16.82 (median −3.5, p = 0.0285) and −0.17 ± 7.42 (median 0, p = 0.7001), respectively. Social support with taking BP medication was: “yes” (n = 19); 143.8 mm Hg to 131.5 mm Hg (median −12.5, p = 0.0198) and “no” (n = 14); 142.32 mm Hg to 130.25 mm Hg (median −4.0, p = 0.0771). ConclusionsCommunity-clinical linkages and SMBP with BEM significantly improved medication adherence and SBP without modifying pharmacotherapy.