OBJECTIVE

To determine disparities in antihypertensive medication adherence between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities in South Korea.

DESIGN

The study compared antihypertensive medication adherence between persons with disabilities and those without disabilities using medical claims data of the National Health Insurance (NHI).

SETTING

We obtained data from claims submitted to the NHI, which covers almost the entire Korean population. Persons who were prescribed antihypertensive medication during the calendar year 2004 were identified.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised data from persons with disabilities (n=85,098) and persons without disabilities (n=2,368,636).

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A cumulative medication adherence (CMA) greater than or equal to 80% was defined as an appropriate medication adherence. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify differences in antihypertensive medication adherence between persons with disabilities and without disabilities. Estimates were adjusted for demographic characteristics (sex, age), type of medical insurance, insurance contribution a month as a proxy for household income, residential area, and clinical characteristics (medication duration, comorbid conditions).

RESULTS

People with disabilities had lower CMAs than those without (median CMA, 83.6% vs 85.7%; appropriate medication adherence, 54.5% vs 57.5%). Results of the multiple logistic regression adjusting other factors indicated that people with disabilities had decreased probabilities of appropriate adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Medication adherence is reduced by various types of disability and impairment such as those involving mobility and communication. Much effort should be made to investigate how and why these disparities take place and develop health policies to remove these disparities if they exist.