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Frequency and Characteristics of Blood Pressure Medication Side Effect Symptoms and Association with Treatment Satisfaction and Adherence

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

Karen L. Margolis, MD, MPH; A. Lauren Crain, PhD; Pamala A Pawloski, PharmD; Jeanette Y. Ziegenfuss, PhD; Nicole K. Trower, BA; Anna R. Bergdall, MPH; MarySue Beran, MD, MPH; Christine K. Norton, MA; Patricia K. Haugen, BA; Daniel J. Rehrauer, PharmD; Beverly B. Green, MD, MPH; Leif I. Solberg, MD; JoAnn M. Sperl-Hillen, MD

Corresponding Author: Karen L. Margolis, MD, MPH; HealthPartners Institute 

Email: Karen.L.Margolis@healthpartners.com

DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2024.240288R1

Keywords: Blood Pressure, Drug Side Effects, Hypertension, Patient Adherence, Patient Satisfaction, Pharmacology, Surveys and Questionnaires, Symptom Assessment

Dates: Submitted: 08-02-2024; Revised: 10-02-2024; Accepted: 10-07-2024

Status: In production for ahead of print. 

BACKGROUND: Side effect symptoms to blood pressure (BP) medications may be associated with poor medication adherence, treatment dissatisfaction, and worse BP control.  This paper describes the frequency and characteristics of BP medication side effect symptoms in a primary care population with poorly controlled hypertension and their relationships to treatment satisfaction and adherence.

METHODS: Patients in a pragmatic trial were surveyed to identify and characterize six potential BP medication side effect symptoms (tiredness, dizziness, foot swelling, cough, frequent urination, sexual symptoms). Reported symptoms were rated on severity (not a problem, somewhat/moderate problem, big/very big problem) and perceived relatedness to medications (yes/no).  Logistic regression models used symptom severity and perceived relatedness to medications to predict BP treatment satisfaction (very satisfied to very dissatisfied) and medication adherence (changing/stopping medications).

RESULTS:  Among survey responders (n=1719/3071, 56%), 90% of respondents taking BP medications reported a symptom that was at least somewhat of a problem. Overall, 39% had at least one symptom that was a big or very big problem and 34% had at least one symptom that they perceived as related to their medication. For most symptoms, both higher problem severity and perceived relatedness to medication were significantly associated with lower BP treatment satisfaction and decreased adherence.

CONCLUSIONS: BP medication side effect symptoms were very common and often big problems for patients. Identifying and managing them could potentially improve BP outcomes. The brief symptom assessment developed for this study could help identify opportunities to address side effect symptoms and improve patient satisfaction and adherence. 

ABSTRACTS IN PRESS

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