Do Patient Preferences and Treatment Beliefs Explain Patterns of Antihypertensive Medication Nonadherence? A Discrete Choice Experiment.

This article examines how patient preferences and beliefs about antihypertensive medication efficacy and side effects influence adherence behaviors among individuals with hypertension. Using graded-pair questions (GPQs), a discrete-choice experiment (DCE), and rating questions administered via an online platform, the study found that patients perceive medication adherence as the most critical factor in reducing cardiovascular event risk, with side effects viewed as more sensitive to nonadherence than treatment efficacy. Patients commonly believe they can manage side effects by skipping doses without substantially compromising efficacy, especially if they avoid missing consecutive doses, highlighting a gap between patient perceptions and clinical evidence emphasizing consistent adherence. The findings underscore the importance of tailored patient education and clinician–patient communication to address misconceptions and promote realistic expectations regarding treatment outcomes and adherence patterns.