Treatment Compliance Among Hypertensive Patients at the Outpatient Department – Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 2024 - 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Hypertension (HTN) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Complications of hypertension, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, and renal failure, are severe and may lead to functional decline, disability, dependence, increased hospitalization rates, and death. Treatment adherence, which encompasses both medication compliance and regular follow-up visits, plays a critical role in the effectiveness of hypertension management. Our study evaluates medication adherence using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), a clinically applicable method due to its simplicity, time efficiency, and low cost. Research Objective: To describe the current status of treatment adherence among hypertensive patients receiving outpatient care at the Outpatient Department of Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 9/2024-2/2025. Subjects and Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study combined with longitudinal follow-up, conducted on 310 hypertensive patients managed and treated at the Outpatient Department of Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 9/2024-2/2025; Assessment of medication adherence using the Morisky 8-item scale. Results and Discussion: Among the 310 patients enrolled, the mean age was 68.20 ± 13.70. Of these, 28.38% demonstrated poor medication adherence, 71.62% showed exhibited good adherence. Most patients adhered well to non-pharmacological treatment measures: adherence to dietary recommendations was 85.81%, alcohol limitation 83.55%, smoking cessation (including tobacco and pipe tobacco) 66.13%, and adherence to healthy lifestyle and physical exercise routines 81.58%. The rate of adherence to monthly follow-up appointments was relatively high, at 86.45%. Conclusions and Recommendations: The rates of adherence to follow-up visits, lifestyle modifications, and antihypertensive medication use among outpatients were generally favorable. However, further in-depth studies are needed to determine causion the non treatment adherence of hypertension.