Rola Bou Serhal
Lebanese University, Lebanon
Title: A new lebanese medication adherence scale: Validation in lebanese hypertensive adults
Biography
Biography: Rola Bou Serhal
Abstract
Background: Hypertension control reduces cardiovascular risk. Yet, lack of adherence to medication reduces this control. Therefore, tools to measure medication adherence are needed. A new Lebanese scale measuring medication adherence considered socioeconomic and cultural factors not taken into account by the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8).
Objectives: The main objectives of this study were to validate the new adherence scale and its prediction of hypertension control, compared to MMAS-8, and to assess adherence rates and factors.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study, including 405 patients, was performed in outpatient cardiology clinics of three hospitals in Beirut. Blood pressure was measured, a questionnaire filled, and sodium intake was estimated by a urine test. Logistic regression defined predictors of hypertension control and adherence.
Results: A percentage of 54.9% had controlled hypertension and 82.4% were adherent by the new scale which showed good internal consistency, adequate questions (KMO coefficient = 0.743), and four factors. It predicted hypertension control (OR = 1.217; p value = 0.003), unlike MMAS-8, but the scores were correlated (ICC average measure = 0.651; p value < 0.001). Stress and smoking predicted non-adherence.
Conclusion: This study elaborated a validated, practical, and useful tool measuring adherence to medications in hypertensive patients.