Patient-reported medication adherence barriers among patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Zullig LL, Stechuchak KM, Goldstein KM, Olsen MK, McCant FM, Danus S, Crowley MJ, Oddone EZ, Bosworth HB. Patient-reported medication adherence barriers among patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Journal of managed care & specialty pharmacy. 2015 Jun 1; 21(6):479-85.

Related HSR&D Project(s)

• CDA 13-025 – Colorectal Cancer Survivorship Care in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System
• CDA 13-261 – Tailored, eHealth-based Management for Persistent Poorly-Controlled Diabetes
• RCS 08-027 – Research Career Scientist Award
• CDA 13-263 – Peer Support for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Female Veterans
• IIR 08-297 – Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Many patients experience barriers that make it difficult to take cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related medications as prescribed. The Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study (CITIES) was a tailored behavioral pharmacist-administered and telephone-based intervention for reducing CVD risk. OBJECTIVES: To (a) describe patient-reported barriers to taking their medication as prescribed and (b) evaluate patient-level characteristics associated with reporting medication barriers. METHODS: We recruited patients receiving care at primary care clinics affiliated with Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible patients were diagnosed with hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia that were poorly controlled (blood pressure of > 150/100 mmHg and/or low-density lipoprotein value > 130 mg/dL). At the time of enrollment, patients completed an interview with 7 questions derived from a validated medication barriers measure. Patient characteristics and individual medication treatment barriers are described. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between a medication barrier score and patient characteristics. RESULTS: Most patients (n = 428) were married or living with their partners (57%) and were men (85%) who were diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (64%). The most commonly reported barriers were having too much medication to take (31%) and forgetting whether medication was taken at a particular time (24%). In adjusted analysis, those who were not employed (1.32, 95% CI = 0.50-2.14) or did not have someone to help with tasks, if needed (1.66, 95% CI = 0.42-2.89), reported higher medication barrier scores. Compared with those diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, those with only hypertension (0.91, 95% CI = 0.04-1.79) reported higher medication barrier scores. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to medication adherence are common. Evaluating and addressing barriers may increase medication adherence.