Impact of Medication Adherence on Work Productivity in Hypertension

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of antihypertensive medication adherence on work productivity. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Antihypertensive medication–treated respondents from the 2007 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS; n = 16,474) were included. Blood pressure measurements, medication adherence, and work productivity measures were obtained using subject selfreported data collected by the NHWS. Productivity and adherence were evaluated using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Subjects were classifi ed as normotensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] 160 mm Hg or DBP >100 mm Hg). Multivariate linear regression was used to determine the relationship between antihypertensive medication adherence and work productivity loss, while controlling for important covariates. Results: Among treated hypertensive subjects (n = 16,474), the mean age was 59.6 years, and 49% were female. Respondents employed full time (n = 3041) were younger (mean age = 51 years); 14%, 54%, 24%, and 8% were normotensive, prehypertensive, and stage 1 and 2 hypertensive, respectively. High adherence was reported by 55% of employed respondents. Low adherence was associated with more work productivity impairment (β = 2.12; P <.05). Stage 2 hypertension was associated with greater productivity impairment compared with other stages (β = –6.30 vs normotensives; β = –6.79 vs prehypertensives; β = –5.18 vs stage 1; all P <.05). Conclusions: Low adherence to prescribed antihypertensive medication regimens was associated with a reduction in work productivity. Programs to support antihypertensive medication adherence may present economic opportunities for employers by reducing work productivity impairment.