[Determinants of the adherence to therapeutic plan in elderly Spaniards, over 60 years of age]

Abstract

Objective: To identify factors associated with the adherence to a therapeutic plan of awareness of hypertension.

Material and methods: The data of the study "Arterial hypertension and other factors of risk in the elderly (> or = 60 years) Spanish population". This was a population-based survey of 4.009 older Spaniards. Information for this survey was obtained thorough household personal interviews to evaluate if these determining factors are independent of socio-demographic variables, the use of health system, lifestyles and the quality of life related to health.

Results: In men, the adherence to a therapeutic plan according to the regions studied (OR Rural = 3.9; OR Cantabrian = 1.9). Beside general health (OR = 1.01). With respect to the women, the ones that complied with the therapeutic plan more frequently had a low scholastic level (OR = 1.8), physical condition (OR = 1.02), and had more frequent home medical visits monthly (OR = 3.0). The women with poor adherence had two chronic illnesses (OR = 0.6)

Conclusions: There are regional differences, gender, educational and to measure health-related quality of life. This demonstrates poor adherence, so the strategy should be directed toward in this variables mentioned.