Elizabeth W. Holt

Predictors of Decline in Medication Adherence: Results From the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence Among Older Adults

Few data are available on the predictors of decline in antihypertensive medication adherence and the association of decline in adherence with subsequent blood pressure (BP) control. The current analysis included 1,965 adults from the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence among Older Adults (CoSMO) recruited between August 2006 and September 2007. Decline in antihypertensive medication adherence was defined as a ≥ 2 point decrease on the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale assessed during telephone surveys 1 and 2 years following baseline. Risk factors for decline in adherence were collected using telephone surveys and administrative databases. BP was abstracted from outpatient records. The annual rate for a decline in adherence was 4.3% (159 participants experienced a decline). After multivariable adjustment, a decline in adherence was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for uncontrolled BP (≥140/90 mm Hg) at follow up of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.80). Depressive symptoms (OR 1.84, 95%CI 1.20, 2.82) and a high stressful life events score (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.19, 2.38) were associated with higher ORs for a decline in adherence. Female gender (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42, 0.88); being married (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.47, 0.98); and calcium channel blocker use (OR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48, 0.97) were associated with lower ORs for decline. In summary, a decline in antihypertensive medication adherence was associated with uncontrolled BP. Modifiable factors associated with decline were identified. Further research is warranted to determine if interventions can prevent the decline in antihypertensive medication adherence and improve BP control.Few data are available on the predictors of decline in antihypertensive medication adherence and the association of decline in adherence with subsequent blood pressure (BP) control. The current analysis included 1965 adults from the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence Among Older Adults recruited between August 2006 and September 2007. Decline in antihypertensive medication adherence was defined as a ≥2-point decrease on the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale assessed during telephone surveys 1 and 2 years after baseline. Risk factors for decline in adherence were collected using telephone surveys and administrative databases. BP was abstracted from outpatient records. The annual rate for a decline in adherence was 4.3% (159 participants experienced a decline). After multivariable adjustment, a decline in adherence was associated with an odds ratio (OR) for uncontrolled BP (≥140/90 mm Hg) at follow-up of 1.68 (95% CI: 1.01–2.80). Depressive symptoms (OR: 1.84 [95% CI: 1.20–2.82]) and a high stressful life events score (OR: 1.68 [95% CI: 1.19–2.38]) were associated with higher ORs for a decline in adherence. Female sex (OR: 0.61 [95% CI: 0.42–0.88]), being married (OR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.47–0.98]), and calcium channel blocker use (OR: 0.68 [95% CI: 0.48–0.97]) were associated with lower ORs for decline. In summary, a decline in antihypertensive medication adherence was associated with uncontrolled BP. Modifiable factors associated with decline were identified. Further research is warranted to determine whether interventions can prevent the decline in antihypertensive medication adherence and improve BP control.

Reproducibility of visit-to-visit variability of blood pressure measured as part of routine clinical care.

Objectives Secondary analysis of clinical trial data suggests visit-to-visit variability (VVV) of blood pressure is strongly associated with the incidence of cardiovascular disease. Measurement of blood pressure in usual practice settings may be subject to substantial error, calling into question the value of VVV in real-world settings. Methods We analyzed data on adults of at least 65 years of age with diagnosed hypertension who were taking antihypertensive medication from the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence among Older Adults (n = 772 with 14 or more blood pressure measurements). All blood pressure measurements, taken as part of routine outpatient care over a median of 2.8 years, were abstracted from patients’ medical charts. Results Using each participants first seven SBP measurements, the mean intraindividual standard deviation was 13.5 mmHg. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the standard deviation based on the first seven and second seven SBP measurements was 0.28 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.34]. Individuals in the highest quintile of standard deviation of SBP based on their first seven measurements were more likely to be in the highest quintile of VVV using their second seven measurements (observed/expected ratio = 1.71, 95% CI 1.29–2.22). Results were similar for other metrics of VVV. The intraclass correlation coefficient was lower for DBP than SBP. Conclusion These data suggest VVV of SBP measured in a real-world setting is not random. Future studies are needed to assess the prognostic value of VVV of SBP assessed in routine clinical practice.

Health-related quality of life and antihypertensive medication adherence among older adults

PURPOSE health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important psycho-social characteristic which may impact an individuals ability to manage their chronic disease. We examined the association between HRQOL and antihypertensive medication adherence in older adults. METHODS participants were part of a cohort study of older adults enrolled in a managed care organisation and treated for hypertension (n = 2,180). Physical and Mental Component Summary Scores (PCS and MCS) of HRQOL were assessed using the RAND Medical Outcomes Study 36-item tool. Adherence to antihypertensive medication was assessed with the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. RESULTS the mean age of participants was 75.0 +/- 5.6 years, 69.3% were white, 58.5% were women and 14.1% had low antihypertensive medication adherence. Low HRQOL scores were associated with lower levels of antihypertensive medication adherence in older adults. After adjustment for covariates, those with low PCS and MCS scores were 1.33 (95% CI 1.01, 1.74) and 2.26 (95% CI 1.74, 2.97) times more likely, respectively, to have low antihypertensive medication adherence than those with PCS and MCS scores in the top 2 tertiles. CONCLUSIONS low HRQOL may be an important barrier to achieving high medication adherence.

Adverse Effects of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Antihypertensive Medication Adherence: Findings from the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence Among Older Adults

OBJECTIVES: To determine the association between complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use and antihypertensive medication adherence in older black and white adults.

Association Between Antihypertensive Medication Adherence and Visit-to-Visit Variability of Blood Pressure

It has been hypothesized that high visit‐to‐visit variability (VVV) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) may be the result of poor antihypertensive medication adherence. The authors studied this association using data from 1391 individuals taking antihypertensive medication selected from a large managed care organization. The 8‐item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, administered during 3 annual surveys, captured self‐report adherence, with scores <6, 6 to <8, and 8 representing low, medium. and high adherence, respectively. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) for SD of SBP across study visits was 12.9 (4.4), 13.5 (4.8), and 14.1 (4.5) mm Hg in participants with high, medium, and low self‐reported adherence, respectively. After multivariable adjustment and compared with those with high self‐report adherence, SD of SBP was 0.60 (95% confidence interval, 0.13–1.07) and 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 0.29–1.87) mm Hg higher among participants with medium and low self‐report adherence, respectively. Results were consistent when pharmacy fill was used to define adherence. These data suggest that low antihypertensive medication adherence explains only a small proportion of VVV of SBP. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2012; 00:00–00. ©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cockroach exposure independent of sensitization status and association with hospitalizations for asthma in inner-city children

BACKGROUND Children with asthma living in urban environments experience disproportionately high asthma hospitalization rates. Excessive exposure to perennial allergens, including cockroach and house dust mite (HDM), have been implicated, but data are limited. OBJECTIVE To examine the relation between cockroach and HDM exposure and measures of asthma morbidity and health care utilization. METHODS Participants included 86 atopic asthmatic children living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sensitization status was determined by means of serum specific IgE testing, and vacuum dust samples were collected for allergen analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds of persistent wheezing, emergency department visits, and asthma hospitalization in those with high vs low levels of allergen exposure. RESULTS Approximately 44% and 40% of children were exposed to Bla g 1 levels greater than 2 U/g and HDM levels greater than 2 μg/g, respectively, and 24% reported at least 1 hospitalization in the previous 4 months. The median Bla g 1 level was significantly higher in the homes of children hospitalized compared with those with no hospital admissions (7.2 vs 0.8 U/g). In multivariable models, the odds of hospitalization were significantly higher in children exposed to Bla g 1 levels greater than 2 U/g (adjusted odds ratio, 4.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-14.17), independent of sensitization status. Exposure to HDMs was not associated with any measure of morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to cockroach allergen was strongly associated with increased hospitalization in children with asthma. This effect cannot be explained entirely by IgE-mediated inflammation. Controlled interventional trials are needed to determine whether isolated cockroach abatement improves asthma control.

Sex Differences in Barriers to Antihypertensive Medication Adherence: Findings from the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence Among Older Adults

To determine whether sociodemographic, clinical, healthcare system, psychosocial, and behavioral factors are differentially associated with low antihypertensive medication adherence scores in older men and women.

Development and pilot-testing of a psoriasis screening tool.

Background  There is a need to validate psoriasis self‐reports in epidemiological studies, where individuals may not be seeing dermatologists or other health care providers.

Willingness-to-pay stated preferences for 8 health-related quality-of-life domains in psoriasis: A pilot study

BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that has a major impact on health-related quality of life (QOL). We evaluated health-related QOL via willingness to pay and a ranking task for 8 domains of health relevant to psoriasis: intimacy, physical comfort, self-care, ability to work or volunteer, ability to concentrate, emotional health, social comfort, and ability to sleep. OBJECTIVE The goals of the study were to pilot test a new method to measure QOL impact in psoriasis and identify the areas of life most affected by psoriasis. METHODS Forty participants with a history of psoriasis were interviewed in a face-to-face format. First, participants were asked to rank the 8 domains of health we were investigating. Second, patients were asked how much money they would be willing to pay for a hypothetical cure for each domain of health. Responses in US dollars were interpreted as strength of preference rather than absolute monetary values. RESULTS About half of the patients in the sample (48%) were female, 60% had a college degree or further education, and 38% had an income level over

Differences in cardiovascular disease risk when antihypertensive medication adherence is assessed by pharmacy fill versus self-report: the Cohort Study of Medication Adherence among Older Adults (CoSMO).

45,000/y. Physical comfort, social comfort, and emotional health were highly ranked by more than 75% of respondents. Ability to concentrate was least likely to be affected by psoriasis with just a quarter (25.7%) of respondents ranking this domain as important. The median amount patients were willing to pay for a hypothetical cure of psoriasis specific to a particular domain was highest for physical comfort (