Aplicación de un programa de mejora de la adherencia en pacientes hipertensos debutantes

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a program to improve treatment adherence in new onset hypertensive patients. DESIGN: This is a quasi-experimental study. LOCATION: Four health centers in Almeria. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 120 subjects between 18 and 65 years, diagnosed with hypertension within the previous 12 months. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The participants were divided into three groups: intervention group A, which received educational instruction, intervention group B, educational instruction and feedback process, and the control group C, received usual care. Adherence was determined by lifestyle (diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol) and drug treatment. RESULTS: As regards diet and physical activity, there were significant differences between performance groups after intervention (p < 0,05), with better adherence levels being found in group B subjects for these variables. Better adherence to pharmacological treatment was also observed in these patients. No significant results were found regarding alcohol and smoking. CONCLUSIONS: In the study population, patients undergoing educational instruction and feedback had better adherence levels than those who received only instruction or usual treatment.