Exploring the association of adverse drug reactions with medication adherence and quality of life among hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study

Effective hypertension management requires medication adherence to prevent complications. However, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) can undermine adherence and negatively affect patients’ quality of life. Limited research has explored the association between ADRs, medication adherence, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in individuals with hypertension.

To investigate the association between ADRs, medication adherence, and HRQoL among patients with hypertension.

A cross-sectional study using telephone interviews and medical record reviews was conducted in 11 primary care facilities in Indonesia. The causality of reported ADRs was assessed using the Naranjo algorithm, validated by a panel of experts in pharmacy practice and medication safety. The severity of ADRs was classified using the Hartwig scale. Adherence to antihypertensive drugs was estimated using the Medication Adherence Report Scale-5 (MARS-5). The EuroQoL EQ-5D-5L was used to measure HRQoL. The association between ADRs and medication adherence was assessed using multivariate logistic regression, while the association with HRQoL was evaluated through the Tobit regression model.

A total of 507 patients were included in this study. We found that 20.32% (n = 103) of the patients experienced ADRs, with the most commonly reported ADRs being polyuria and urgency, gastrointestinal symptoms, leg swelling, dizziness/hypotension, palpitations, and dry cough. The majority experienced mild ADRs (n = 75, 72.82%), while 27.18% (n = 28) had reactions of moderate severity. Experiencing ADRs was associated with reduced medication adherence (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.15, 95% CI 4.07–12.55) and decreased HRQoL (coefficient: − 0.037).

Patients experiencing ADRs were seven times more likely to be non-adherent to their medication regimen and reported a reduced quality of life compared to those without ADRs, placing them at a higher risk of suboptimal treatment outcomes. This finding highlights the need for additional monitoring and education for patients affected by ADRs, particularly through more frequent clinical and laboratory assessments, timely management of ADRs, and personalized education on the importance of adherence to prevent hypertension-related complications.