Interventions to improve antihypertensive drug adherence: A quantitative review of trials

To evaluate the effectivenenss of interventions to improve oral antihyperte nsive drug adherence, we conducted a quantitative review of trials that tes ted one or more intervention strategies and included drug adherence as a st udy endpoint, A Medline search and bibliography review of published article s yielded 29 trials meeting inclusion criteria. Statistically significant i mprovements in adherence were observed in single-blind trials of worksite c are, physician education, and an electronic vial cap, and in unblinded tria ls of patient cards and calendar packaging, There was insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of mailed reminders alone, according to unbli nded trials. Adherence results were conflicting for patient education and i nconclusive for patient counseling. Self-monitoring was deemed ineffective according to single-blind trials, Results for meeting goal diastolic blood pressure, when evaluated (if available), were generally in accordance with those for adherence.