Determinants of patient compliance and clinical response in general-practice treatment of hypertension

Self-reported compliance, its relationship with clinical response, and possible determinants of each were examined in 154 general-practice patients who were treated for hypertension. Patient compliance and therapeutic response were highly correlated. Multivariate analyses supported the proposal that (a) relative body weight, drug regimen complexity, and concern at the time of diagnosis were independently influencing patient compliance; (b) compliance was contributing to blood pressure control; and (c) compliance and blood pressure control were each contributing to a lack of concern about hypertension and its risks. Prescribing simple drug regimens, and intentionally increasing the patient's concern at the time of diagnosis may be useful methods to promote compliance with antihypertensive therapy.