COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY AMONG ELDERLY MEDICAID ENROLLEES - THE ROLES OF AGE, GENDER, AND RACE

Objectives. This study measured compliance and related demographic fac tors in a retrospective cohort of 4068 elderly outpatients newly start ing antihypertensive therapy from 1982 through 1988. Methods. Logistic regression modeling of data from the New Jersey Medicaid program was used. Results. These patients filled antihypertensive prescriptions co vering an average of only 179 days in the 365-day follow-up period (49 %). Good compliance (greater than or equal to 80%) was associated with advanced age (odds ratio [OR] = 2.12, for patients 85 or older) and W hite race (OR = 0.55 for Blacks). There was no relationship between co mpliance and gender. Conclusions. Despite the efficacy of antihyperten sive therapy in preventing cardiovascular morbidity, such high rates o f noncompliance may contribute to suboptimal patient outcomes.