Dissection of the interactions between psychological profile, drug adherence and blood pressure control in various subsets of resistant hypertensive patients

Drug adherence and psychological factors are underestimated and underexplored aspects contributing to the physiopathology of hypertension. The aim of this research was therefore to assess the interactions between blood pressure control, drug adherence and psychological profile in patients with apparently resistant hypertension, with a view to better understanding these phenomena to promote more comprehensive management of these patients. Overall, our findings suggest that drug adherence, psychological profile, and severity of hypertension are interconnected, thus confirming that assessment of adherence and psychological evaluation should become an integral part of the management of patients with apparently treatment-resistant hypertension, before considering the treatment intensification. This is especially true in younger patients devoid of cardiovascular diseases, in whom somatization, expression of emotions and/or non-adherence have been found to play a substantial role.(BIFA - Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques) -- UCL, 202