Zullig, Leah LStechuchak, Karen MGoldstein, Karen MOlsen, Maren KMcCant, Felicia MDanus, SusanneCrowley, Matthew JOddone, Eugene ZBosworth, Hayden B2024-02-012024-02-012015-062376-05402376-1032https://hdl.handle.net/10161/29986<h4>Background</h4>Many patients experience barriers that make it difficult to take cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related medications as prescribed. The Cardiovascular Intervention Improvement Telemedicine Study (CITIES) was a tailored behavioral pharmacist-administered and telephone-based intervention for reducing CVD risk.<h4>Objectives</h4>To (a) describe patient-reported barriers to taking their medication as prescribed and (b) evaluate patient-level characteristics associated with reporting medication barriers.<h4>Methods</h4>We recruited patients receiving care at primary care clinics affiliated with Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Eligible patients were diagnosed with hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia that were poorly controlled (blood pressure of > 150/100 mmHg and/or low-density lipoprotein value > 130 mg/dL). At the time of enrollment, patients completed an interview with 7 questions derived from a validated medication barriers measure. Patient characteristics and individual medication treatment barriers are described. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the association between a medication barrier score and patient characteristics.<h4>Results</h4>Most patients (n = 428) were married or living with their partners (57%) and were men (85%) who were diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia (64%). The most commonly reported barriers were having too much medication to take (31%) and forgetting whether medication was taken at a particular time (24%). In adjusted analysis, those who were not employed (1.32, 95% CI = 0.50-2.14) or did not have someone to help with tasks, if needed (1.66, 95% CI = 0.42-2.89), reported higher medication barrier scores. Compared with those diagnosed with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, those with only hypertension (0.91, 95% CI = 0.04-1.79) reported higher medication barrier scores.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Barriers to medication adherence are common. Evaluating and addressing barriers may increase medication adherence.https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0HumansCardiovascular DiseasesHypertensionLinear ModelsRisk FactorsTelephoneAgedMiddle AgedPharmacistsPharmacy Service, HospitalHospitals, VeteransPrimary Health CareFemaleMaleHyperlipidemiasMedication AdherenceJournal article