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Antihypertensive Adherence Trajectories Among Older Adults in the First Year After Initiation of Therapy.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Adherence to antihypertensives is suboptimal, but previous methods of quantifying adherence fail to account for varying patterns of use over time. We sought to improve classification of antihypertensive adherence using group-based trajectory models, and to determine whether individual factors predict adherence trajectories. METHODS:We identified older adults initiating antihypertensive therapy during 2008-2011 using a 20% sample of Medicare (federal health insurance available to US residents over the age of 65) beneficiaries enrolled in parts A (inpatient services), B (outpatient services), and D (prescription medication). We developed monthly adherence indicators using prescription fill dates and days supply data in the 12 months following initiation. Adherence was defined as having at least 80% of days covered. Logistic models were used to identify trajectory groups. Bayesian information criterion and trajectory group size were used to select the optimal trajectory model. We compared the distribution of covariates across trajectory groups using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS:During 2008-2011, 282,520 Medicare beneficiaries initiated antihypertensive therapy (mean age 75 years, 60% women, 84% White). Six trajectories were identified ranging from perfect adherence (12-month adherence of 0.97, 40% of beneficiaries) to immediate stopping (12-month adherence of 0.10, 18% of beneficiaries). The strongest predictors of nonadherence were initiation with a single antihypertensive class (adjusted odds ratio = 2.08 (95% confidence interval: 2.00-2.13)), Hispanic (2.93 (2.75-3.11)) or Black race/ethnicity (2.04 (1.95-2.13)), and no prior history of hypertension (2.04 (2.00-2.08)) (Area under the receiving operating characteristic curve: 0.53). CONCLUSIONS:There is substantial variation in antihypertensive adherence among older adults. Certain patient characteristics are likely determinants of antihypertensive adherence trajectories.

SUBMITTER: Hargrove JL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7190965 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:OBJECTIVE:Growing evidence suggests that older adults are at an increased risk of injurious falls when initiating antihypertensive medication, while the evidence regarding long-term use of antihypertensive medication and the risk of falling is mixed. However, long-term users who stop and start these medications may have a similar risk of falling to initial users of antihypertensive medication. Our aim was to evaluate the association between gaps in antihypertensive medication adherence and injurious falls in older (≥65 years) community-dwelling, long-term (≥≥1 year) antihypertensive users. DESIGN:Prospective cohort study. SETTING:Irish Community Pharmacy. PARTICIPANTS:Consecutive participants presenting a prescription for antihypertensive medication to 106 community pharmacies nationwide, community-dwelling, ≥65 years, with no evidence of cognitive impairment, taking antihypertensive medication for ≥1 year (n=938). MEASURES:Gaps in antihypertensive medication adherence were evaluated from linked dispensing records as the number of 5-day gaps between sequential supplies over the 12-month period prior to baseline. Injurious falls during follow-up were recorded via questionnaire during structured telephone interviews at 12 months. RESULTS:At 12 months, 8.1% (n=76) of participants reported an injurious fall requiring medical attention. The mean number of 5-day gaps in medication refill behaviour was 1.47 (SD 1.58). In adjusted, modified Poisson models, 5-day medication refill gaps at baseline were associated with a higher risk of an injurious fall during follow-up (aRR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37, p=0.024). CONCLUSION:Each 5-day gap in antihypertensive refill adherence increased the risk of self-reported injurious falls by 18%. Gaps in antihypertensive adherence may be a marker for increased risk of injurious falls. It is unknown whether adherence-interventions will reduce subsequent risk. This finding is hypothesis generating and should be replicated in similar populations.

Project description:BackgroundYoung adults with hypertension have the lowest prevalence of controlled blood pressure compared to middle-aged and older adults. Uncontrolled hypertension, even among young adults, increases future cardiovascular event risk. However, antihypertensive medication initiation is poorly understood among young adults and may be an important intervention point for this group.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to compare rates and predictors of antihypertensive medication initiation between young adults and middle-aged and older adults with incident hypertension and regular primary care contact.DesignA retrospective analysisParticipantsAdults ? 18 years old (n?=?10,022) with incident hypertension and no prior antihypertensive prescription, who received primary care at a large, Midwestern, academic practice from 2008-2011.Main measuresThe primary outcome was time from date of meeting hypertension criteria to antihypertensive medication initiation, or blood pressure normalization without medication. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the probability of antihypertensive medication initiation over time. Cox proportional-hazard models (HR; 95% CI) were fit to identify predictors of delays in medication initiation, with a subsequent subpopulation analysis for young adults (18-39 years old).Key resultsAfter a mean follow-up of 20 (±13) months, 34% of 18-39 year-olds with hypertension met the endpoint, compared to 44% of 40-59 year-olds and 56% of ? 60 year-olds. Adjusting for patient and provider factors, 18-39 year-olds had a 44% slower rate of medication initiation (HR 0.56; 0.47-0.67) than ? 60 year-olds. Among young adults, males, patients with mild hypertension, and White patients had a slower rate of medication initiation. Young adults with Medicaid and more clinic visits had faster rates.ConclusionsEven with regular primary care contact and continued elevated blood pressure, young adults had slower rates of antihypertensive medication initiation than middle-aged and older adults. Interventions are needed to address multifactorial barriers contributing to poor hypertension control among young adults.

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Antihypertensive Adherence Trajectories Among Older Adults in the First Year After Initiation of Therapy.

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