Adherence to treatment in heart failure and its relationship to morbidity and mortality. Social Security Hospital of Guayaquil.

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world. There is evidence to demonstrate that an adequate adherence (the degree to which a patient's behavior in relation to taking medication, following a diet or modifying life habits, matches the instructions provided by the doctor or health personnel) improves the quality of life, decreases the mortality and the costs related to this nosological entity. The objective of this work was to characterize adherence to the treatment of heart failure and its relationship to complications in patients treated in the outpatient clinic of the Hospital of the IESS of North Guayaquil Los Ceibos. A retrospective, cross-sectional, exploratory, quantitative experimental study was carried out, in which the variable adherence to treatment was analyzed to see its effect on the relationship between complications in patients and heart failure. A survey was conducted that revealed that the majority of patients were male, with the most common age being between 60 and 80 years. 64% meet the diet requirements and only 44% exercised. Only 29% of patients believe they can discuss the treatment to be followed with their doctor. Statistical analysis using the Chi squared method led to the conclusion that patients with greater adherence to treatment have fewer complications. The cost comparison study of unbalanced patients vs. the stable ones shows that costs were lower in patients with a functional class I and II on the NYHA score.