The effect of depression on adherence to antihypertensive medications in elderly individuals with hypertension

This study was carried out to find the effect of depression on adherence to antihypertensive medications in elderly individuals with hypertension. The descriptive study population consisted of hypertensive individuals aged 65 years and older, who presented to one of the three Family Health Centers located in the provincial center of Erzincan. No sampling was attempted, and 350 people who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. The study data were collected between May and September 2014 by face-to-face interviews using a descriptive questionnaire, the Medication Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form for hypertensive patients, and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Depression was found in 57.1% of all the elderly in this study and in 72.6 % of those aged 80 years and older. A moderately significant negative correlation was found between depression and the mean medication adherence self-efficacy score. In conclusion, early diagnosis and treatment of depression symptoms is an important factor in the management and treatment of hypertension. For this reason, it is important for the nurse and other health professionals working in primary care to observe hypertensive elderly people for depression symptoms, to consider the effect of depression on adherence to medication in coping with the disease.