Objective

To determine the association between treatment adherence and health-related quality of life.

Methods and Materials

A cross-sectional investigation was performed in an arterial hypertension program of a general hospital. The Spanish version of the Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Spanish version of the Morisky-Green test. The scores of the subscales and Physical Component (PCS) and Mental Component (MCS) summaries of the SF-36 survey were obtained, then the respective bivariate and multivariate analyzes (Poisson regression) were executed.

Results

39% of patients had therapeutic adherence. All the dimensions of the SF-36 survey presented a statistical association with adherence to antihypertensive treatment. Poisson regression was executed to identify the independent variables associated with obtaining a score higher than 50 in the PCS [presence of comorbidity (risk factor), work status, and therapeutic adherence (protective factor)] and MCS (therapeutic adherence as a protective factor).

Conclusions

Therapeutic adherence, work status, and absence of comorbidity were associated with a better health-related quality of life.