Introduction The aim of this study was to assess therapeutic efficacy and patient-doctor cooperation in hypertensive patients treated with combined hypotensive preparations.
Material and methods The study was designed as an open, non-interventional, observational, multicentre study. It was conducted by 354 physicians and included 4635 hypertensive patients starting treatment with a combination hypotensive agent. Data from 4218 subjects were finally analysed. Patients were followed up at two consecutive visits, three months apart, during which blood pressure values were determined and the Morisky-Green test was performed to self-assess the patient's degree of cooperation. The physician's decision to use a particular combination preparation was made irrespective of the patient's inclusion in the study.
Results At visit one, only 161 patients (3.8%) achieved BP values below 140/90 mm Hg, with 4050 patients (96.2%) having hypertension ineffectively treated. After the use of combined hypotensive preparations, target blood pressure values were achieved in 1047 patients (78.0%). Improvements in the cooperation rate measured by the number of affirmative responses in the Morisky-Green test were also observed.
Conclusions The use of combined hypotensive preparations in daily clinical practice allows for effective blood pressure control and improves patient-physician cooperation.