Hypertension status and adherence to treatment among Ukrainian and Egyptian patients

Abstract

Hypertension is the third-largest killer in the world, about 1 in 8 deaths worldwide is due to hypertension. The WHO estimates that nearly 1 billion people are affected by hypertension. This study aims to review the essential hypertension status among the Egyptian and Ukrainian adult population, the practice of the utilization of hypotensive drugs, and adherence to treatment in patients with hypertension. A population of 120 patients with hypertension was enrolled in the study. General and systemic examination, laboratory and instrumental investigations were done for all participants. All subjects completed a questionnaire. A comparative analysis of the socio-demographic profile, awareness of complications of hypertension and blood pressure level meaning, pharmacotherapy of arterial hypertension, adherence to treatment and relationship to long-term medication and diet of Ukrainian and Egyptian participants was performed. The majority of Ukrainian and Egyptian participants started medication as soon as diagnosed with hypertension. The use of ACEI/ARBs surpassed the use of all other classes of antihypertensives among both groups. A high level of regular antihypertensive therapy with an understanding to complete the prescription was detected; on the other hand, a significant frequency of changes or refusal of therapy, in general, was established.