Analysis of Financial Burden, Medication Adherence, and Health Outcomes in Patients with Hypertension

A bstract Background: The financial burden of antihypertensive medications poses significant barriers to adherence, impacting health outcomes. This study examined the economic implications of hypertension (HTN) treatment, including adherence, quality of life (QoL), and healthcare costs. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the General Medicine Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. from August to September 2024. Data were collected through structured interviews with 395 patients diagnosed with HTN using nonprobability sampling. A prevalidated questionnaire captured information on demographics, medication adherence, financial burden, and psychosocial variables. Data analysis included Spearman’s correlation and chi-square tests to explore associations between financial burden, medication adherence, and clinical outcomes. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.26 years, with nearly equal gender distribution. Almost 75% of participants earned <₹25,000 per month, whereas 37% incurred monthly medication costs exceeding ₹1000. A significant portion (11.6%) borrowed funds for medications, and 13.9% reduced other healthcare expenses. Medication adherence was high (91.9%), but financial strain persisted for 31.4% of participants. A complex relationship between costs and blood pressure control was observed, with lower expenditures (<₹250) correlating with better outcomes. Individuals with employment, presence of comorbidities, and longer HTN duration were significantly associated with higher expenditures. QoL remained minimally affected for 51.9% of participants, though significant limitations in daily activities were reported by 47.9%. Conclusion: The study highlighted the substantial financial burden of HTN management in India, with significant implications for medication adherence and health outcomes. Cost-efficient treatment strategies and improved access to affordable medications are crucial to mitigating economic barriers. Policy interventions addressing affordability, gender equity, and integrated care for comorbidities are imperative for effective HTN management.