Association between cognitive impairment and medication adherence score, including psychological aspects in older patients with cardiovascular disease

This study examined the association between cognitive impairment and medication adherence scores, including psychological aspects, in older patients with cardiovascular disease. This observational study included 163 older patients hospitalized for cardiovascular disease (median age: 74 years; men, 61 %). Medication adherence at discharge was evaluated using a 12-item scale across four domains: medication compliance, collaboration with healthcare providers, willingness to access and use information on medication, and acceptance of medication. Cognitive impairment was defined as a score of ≤ 9 points in the rapid dementia screening test. Patients with cognitive impairment showed lower medication adherence scores than those without (p < 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. Significant differences occurred in the scores of "collaboration with healthcare providers" and "willingness to access and use information on medication". Healthcare providers should tailor medication information sharing according to the patients' health condition and cognitive function.