Medication Adherence and Lifestyle Changes Among Treated Patients with Arterial Hypertension in Family Medicine in Croatia According to the EUROASPIRE V Study: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction

Arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the leading public health issues worldwide, and patients' adherence to recommended treatment is essential for successful regulation of blood pressure (BP), disease control, and prevention of complications. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence of patients with hypertension to medication and lifestyle changes in Croatia, based on the primary care arm of the EUROASPIRE V survey.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in nine family medicine practices in the city of Zagreb, following the protocol of the EUROASPIRE V primary care study. Out of the total Croatian cohort of 203 participants, data on 156 participants with AH were included in this study. The study used components of the EUROASPIRE V questionnaire on self-assessment of adherence to medications, existing lifestyle characteristics and self-reported lifestyle changes (smoking, salt intake, and physical activity, respectively).

Results

A total of 156 participants were included, with almost even distribution of men (n = 77, 49.4%) and women (n = 79, 50.6%); median age was 65 (57, 72). A self-reported medication adherence to antihypertensive medication of 100% (all of the time) was reported by 56.9% patients. According to the lifestyle change questionnaire, the highest adherence was concerning reduction in salt intake (74.4%), while smoking was reduced in 24.1% of advised participants with AH, 13.8% had quit smoking, and increased physical activity was reported by 24.4% patients.

Conclusions

The results of the primary care arm of EUROASPIRE V study in Croatia on treated patients with AH indicate suboptimal BP control in a significant proportion of patients (55.1%) and suboptimal lifestyle change adherence. Achieving target BP and optimal disease control requires additional efforts to foster patients' adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle recommendations.