Treatment Adherence and Quality of Life in Hypertensive Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Effective management of hypertension (HT) and adherence to antihypertensive therapy are essential for maintaining quality of life in cancer patients. This study aimed to assess medication adherence and quality of life in cancer patients diagnosed with HT.

Methods: This prospective descriptive study was carried out from January to September 2024 in the outpatient chemotherapy (CT) unit of a tertiary care research hospital in Istanbul. Participants were adults over 18 years old undergoing CT with a pre-existing diagnosis of HT. Each patient completed the Turkish versions of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G) and the Hill-Bone Compliance to High Blood Pressure Therapy Scale (HBCHBPT) through face-to-face interviews.

Results: Sixty-two cancer patients with HT (mean age 63.0 ± 8.2 years; 65% female) were included, with gastrointestinal cancers being the most common (40%). Median baseline blood pressure (BP) was 125/73 mmHg, with most patients achieving target BP. Older age and longer HT duration were associated with lower diastolic BP. Medication adherence, measured by the HBCHBPT Scale (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.644), was positively correlated with baseline systolic BP and differed by cancer type and therapy, with lower adherence observed in patients with hematologic cancers and those receiving targeted therapies. Quality of life, assessed with the FACT-G, was generally lower in physical, functional, and emotional well-being subscales. Male patients had higher physical well-being scores than females, while other subscale and total scores were not significantly affected by demographic or clinical factors.

Conclusion: Although a trend suggesting an association between higher adherence and better quality of life was observed, it did not reach statistical significance. These results indicate a possible link that should be explored in further studies, with attention to identifying factors that negatively influence adherence and quality of life and developing targeted interventions that enhance medication adherence and overall well-being in this population.

Cite this article as: Yılmaz F, Tezcan S, Köstek O. Treatment adherence and quality of life in hypertensive cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Trends in Pharmacy, 2026, 3, 0001, doi: 10.5152/TrendsPharm.2026.26001.