Open AccessPatient Compliance and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Hypertension
Author(s) -
Luis I. Juncos
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of cardiovascular pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.762
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1533-4023
pISSN - 0160-2446
DOI - 10.1097/00005344-199000153-00005
Subject(s) - enalapril , compliance (psychology) , medicine , patient compliance , regimen , angiotensin converting enzyme , intensive care medicine , incidence (geometry) , drug compliance , pharmacotherapy , pharmacology , blood pressure , emergency medicine , psychology , social psychology , physics , optics
Patient compliance is crucial to successful medical treatment. Many factors contribute to compliance, including age, sex, other sociodemographic factors, finances, intelligence, complexity of therapeutic regimen, and patient-physician rapport. Compliance is especially critical in medical conditions requiring prolonged therapy, such as hypertension. Historically, compliance among hypertensive patients has been alarmingly poor, with a 50% drop-off after 1 year and fewer than 20% still in therapy after 5 years. The use of enalapril, the long-acting angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that allows for a once-daily regimen, has improved treatment success and compliance. This probably is due to the efficacy of the drug, coupled with a low incidence of side effects.