Medication adherence in adults after hospitalization for heart failure: A cross-sectional study

Background: Medication non -adherence in heart failure (HF) leads to increased mortality, morbidity and healthcare costs. However, no study has investigated HF patients' post -hospitalization medication non -adherence in Switzerland. Objectives: Our primary aim was to assess the prevalence of post -discharge medication non -adherence in patients with HF. A secondary objective was to identify differences between fully and partially adherent patients regarding selected unplanned therapy -related inpatient/outpatient cardiology visits. Methods: A non -experimental cross-sectional study was applied. The prevalence of medication adherence was assessed with a German -translated version of the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS -5) and analyzed descriptively. Differences between adherent and partially adherent patients' numbers of medications, dosing per day and 180 -day unplanned inpatient stays or cardiology outpatient visits were explored. Results: Of 153 recruited patients, 72 participated in the survey. Of these, 26.4 % were not fully adherent. Their most common reason was forgetfulness (23.7 %). There were no significant group differences regarding therapyrelated variables or 180 -day unplanned cardiology stays/visits. Conclusions: Considering that over one -quarter of surveyed HF patients were not fully medication adherent, Swiss cardiology nurses need to be sensitized to this issue and trained in adherence -enhancing interventions. Reaching acceptable adherence levels in patients with HF will require further research and action.