Patterns of Persistence with Antihypertensive Medications Among Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients

Persistence and adherence to treatment are essential to reach the treatment goals of hypertension. This study was conducted to investigate the antihypertensive drug persistence in hypertensive patients in the routine clinical settings. Patients above 20 years of age with stage 1 hypertension, who have received the first prescription for hypertension, were included in the study. Patients were followed up for one year. During each follow-up, the parameters noted were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, changes in the prescription by the treating physician, the number of days patient missed the medication and the probable reason for missing the dose, and total doses of anti-hypertensive medications received. Based on patient behavior of persistence with first-line single treatment, they were categorized as continuers, combiners, switchers, discontinuers. A total of 77 patients were included in the study, among them 51(66.2%) were males and 26 (33.8%) were females. Among these, 67 (87.1%) showed 100% adherence to medication schedule. Around 10 (12.99%) patients missed their antihypertensive medication for more than a day (2-24 days, mean 9.89±7.24 days). Amlodipine was the most common antihypertensive used, followed by atenolol and then losartan. There were no significant differences among the types of antihypertensives used among males and females as well as among diabetics and nondiabetics. Around 14 (18.2%) patients needed an add-on antihypertensive after 4-11 months. Most commonly used add on drug was atenolol. The target blood pressure goal (<140/90mmHg) was reached in 70 (90.9%) patients at the end of 1 year.