Effect of frailty syndrome on treatment compliance in older hypertensive patients

BACKGROUND: Frailty syndrome (FS) is an important problem in older persons. It may develop concomitantly to many aging-related diseases, including arterial hypertension, and exerts detrimental effects on both their outcomes and treatment compliance. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of FS on treatment compliance in older hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study of 300 hypertensive patients (167 women and 133 men) aged between 65 and 91 years (mean 71.75±7.79 years) was based on the analysis of medical documentation and survey with the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI) and Hill-Bone High Blood Pressure Compliance Scale. RESULTS: Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values of the study subjects were 141.97 and 85.16 mm Hg, respectively. Mean time elapsed since the diagnosis of arterial hypertension was 13.74 years. FS was diagnosed in 65.67% of the study subjects. Mean global score of the Hill-Bone High Blood Pressure Compliance Scale was 20.75 points. TFI scores correlated significantly with the global score of the Hill-Bone High Blood Pressure Compliance Scale (R=0.509, P<0.001) and the values of its 2 subscales: Appointment Keeping (R=0.34, P<0.001) and Medication Taking (R=0.537, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: FS exerts a significant effect on treatment compliance of older hypertensive patients. Treatment compliance is modulated by patients’ sex (worse compliance in men), education (better compliance in subjects with higher education), and TFI scores (worse compliance in patients with FS).