Adesão ao tratamento farmacológico e fatores associados em idosos que utilizam medicamento anti-hipertensivo

Abstract

The demographic and epidemiological transition occurs worldwide, and sharply in developing countries. It is characterized mainly by the increased proportion of elderly in the population and changes in morbidity and mortality profile. Population aging imposes to goverment and society few new demands on health care. In this context, it highlights the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. Hypertension affects about a quarter of the world's population, and its prevalence increases among the elderly. Complications of this clinical condition are responsible for drastically reduce the quality of life, lead to death many individuals, and result in high consumption of resources of health system. Pharmacological treatment is essential to control blood pressure at large number of patients. Therefore, adherence to pharmacotherapy represent an important public health issue because it is a fundamental step for the success of the proposed therapy. This study aims to assess the level of adherence to pharmacological treatment in elderly patients using any antihypertensive medication, residents in the north of the Juiz de Fora (MG) city. It is a cross-sectional study, conducted through a household survey. The Mini Mental State Examination was used in order to verify the cognitive ability of the elderly to answer the questions; a semi-structured questionnaire to assessing the socioeconomic and health conditions; Edmonton scale to assess frailty and estimate the level of adherence was applied to Morisky and Green Test. Data were processed in a database created through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 14.0 software (SPSS). The data were submitted to univariate and bivariate statistical analysis in which frequencies were obtained, measures of central tendency, and compare proportions. Multivariate analysis was based on the theoretical model, prepared by the author to investigate the effects of independent variables on the dependent variable. Technique of gradual withdrawal of variables based on the levels of significance was used. The sample consisted of most women (69%), white self-declared (45.5%), with up to 4 years of education (74.9%), belonging to socioeconomic class C (58.7%). Were classified as adherent to treatment 47% (95% CI: 41% -53%) of the elderly and 40.5% reported having forgotten taking medication. Not be classified as old fragile, self positive report of view and hearing were the factors that remain associated to adherence on final regression model. The pharmacist plays a important part on adherence process, because through studies and pharmaceutical care can meet population and individual factors associated with adherence, and from this information to promote interventions that increase the prevalence of adherence and therefore improving the quality of life for elderly. In fact, due continued use of medications, only occasional activities are not enough, it is important to keep continuity of service.