Medication adherence and hospitalizations in older patients with
coronary heart disease in Vietnam
Abstract
Aim. This study aimed to assess medication adherence among older people
with coronary heart disease and its relationship with hospitalizations.
Methods. This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the outpatient
clinics of a major hospital in Vietnam from November 2022 to June 2023.
Consecutive older patients with coronary heart disease were recruited
and followed for 6 months. Medication adherence was defined using the
five‐item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5). Multivariable
logistic regression models were applied to examine the impact of
medication adherence on hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease
(CVD) and all-cause hospitalization. Results. There were 643
participants. They had a mean age of 73 (SD 8), and 74.3% were male.
Overall, 76.4% (491/643) were classified as “adherence”. Over 6
months follow-up, 23.3% of the participants admitted to hospital and of
these, 9.2% were due to CVD. The CVD hospitalization rate was
significantly lower in the adherence group compared to the non-adherence
group (7.7% versus 13.8%, p = 0.023, respectively). In logistic
regression models, medication adherence was associated with a
significant reduced likelihood of CVD hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.48,
95%CI 0.27 – 0.86). Medication adherence was also associated with a
trend of reduced all-cause hospitalization (adjusted OR 0.75, 95%CI
0.49 – 1.15). Conclusions. This study showed a positive relationship
between medication adherence and reduced risk of CVD hospitalization in
older people with coronary heart disease. Healthcare providers should
consider incorporating adherence assessment into the long-term care for
older patients with coronary heart disease.