Adherence of Elderly Patients with Chronic Limb Ischemia to Pharmacotherapy

To research and identify patterns of adherence of elderly patients with chronic limb ischemia (CLI) to pharmacotherapy and provide recommendations. A Retrospective Observational Study. The research (2017-2024) included 615 patients with CLI, average age 76±5.8 years: group A-513 patients with CLI stage 2b-3, with indications for surgical treatment of CLI, and group B-102 patients with CLI stage 2A-2B without indications for surgical treatment of CLI. For research of patients’ adherence to pharmacotherapy, a questionnaire was developed, including 8 questions. Adherence was compared at the stage of patient inclusion in the research and after 6, 12 and 24 months follow-up. At the initial outpatient consultation, high adherence to pharmacotherapy was established in 87.2% of patients in group A and 81.8% of patients in group B. After 6 months follow up the proportion of patients adherent to pharmacotherapy increased in group A to 98.7% and in group B to 99.9%; after 12 and 24 months-in group A 96.2% and 97.95%, in group B 99.8% and 97.6%.The incidence of limb gangrene in patients of both groups during 24 months follow up was 0%. At the stage of patient inclusion in the research adherence to pharmacotherapy was established in the majority of patients in Groups A and B, the proportion of which after 24 months follow up exceeded 95%, the incidence of limb gangrene was 0%. Factors increasing the adherence of elderly patients to pharmacotherapy regimen in both groups were deterioration of the general condition, leg pain, reduction of the pain-free walking distance and surgical treatment of CLI. © 2025, Bahrain Medical Bulletin. All rights reserved.