PSYCHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF PATIENTS COMP LIANCE WITH NONDRUG TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION

Psychological tests (Multifactorial Raiting Scale, Mini-Mult, ''16 PF' ', ''Quality of Life'') were used in examination of 178 men aged 18-57 years with mild hypertension prior to randomization into 3 interventi on groups: (1) psychological relaxation, (2) hyposodium diet, (3) exer sise. Results of baseline tests of 43 with draun patients (''noncompli ants'') were compared with data obtained in 135 patients who completed the treatment course (''compliants''). Low educational level and nega tive attitude towards medical recommendations characterized noncomplia nts in all treatment groups. Psychopathological symptoms occurred more often in compliants in relaxation group and in noncompliants in diet and exercise groups. Personality traits of noncompliants depended on t ype of treatment: low selfcontrol and lack of responsibility were char acteristic of noncompliants with relaxation therapy; nonconformism and lower activity characterized noncompliants on diet and lack of abilit y for a long-term purposeful effort and certain infantilism-noncomplia nts on exercise. Mathematical formulas were derived which enabled pred iction of noncompliance with intervention in 72-89% of patients.