Illness Perception and Adherence to Medication in Cardiovascular Patients at a Tertiary Hospital in Northern Cyprus

Background and Aims: The Patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease are strongly recommended to adopt healthier behaviors and adhere to prescribed medication. The role of patients' illness perceptions in patient care and impact on health outcomes was studied previously in a wide range of health conditions. However, among patients with cardiovascular diseases, this has not been well examined. Purpose of this study was to assess treatment adherence, illness perception, and relationship between illness perception and treatment adherence in patients with cardiovascular disease.

Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 to all patients who admitted to the cardiology department of Near East University Hospital in North Cyprus.

Methodology: A survey form of three sections were used to gathered data; a socio-demographic section, Brief Illness Perception Scale, and Brief Morisky Adherence Scale. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for window version 20.0 software. P-value less than 0.05 were statistically significant.

Results: The patients who participated in the study involved 49 (61.2%) male and 31 (38.8%) female. The mean ± SD age of the sampled group was 61.16 ± 12.60, with 15 (47.5%) being older than 65 years old. The Median (Max-Min) of the total Illness Perception Questionnaire positive perceptions shows significantly higher scores in males compared to female’s illness perception 52.0 (73.0 – 20.0) Vs. 41.0 (74.0 – 18.0), z=-2.297; p < 0.05, respectively. Also, university graduate patients had significantly higher positive perception scores compared to patients who graduated from only high schools or less 57.0 (71.0-40.0) Vs. 45.0 (74.0-20.0) and 43.0(68.0-18.0) df=2; p=0.013, respectively.

Conclusion: There is a significant positive correlation between different subscales of perception scale, while higher positive perception scores were identified in adherent patients and males. It is crucial to strengthen patients' illness perceptions, with especial consideration to emotional responses besides personal, treatment control, and disease understanding. We recommend an educational intervention in order to improve adherence.