Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is a major health concern during and after pregnancy, with postpartum medication adherence critical to improving maternal outcomes. This study examines factors associated with hypertension primary medication non-adherence among postpartum women.
METHODS: A retrospective claims analysis was conducted using Komodo Health’s Healthcare Map. The study included 70,959 postpartum women aged 18-64 who delivered between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. Continuous enrollment in medical and pharmacy benefits for six months postpartum was required. Hypertension primary medication non-adherence was defined as failure to refill with any hypertension medication within 100 days of the index prescription. Multivariate regression models, adjusted for patient demographics and clinical characteristics, assessed factors influencing primary medication non-adherence.
RESULTS: Older age groups (25-34, 35-44, and 45+ years) had lower odds of primary medication non-adherence compared to younger women aged 18-24. Black, Asian, and Hispanic women were more likely to abandon medications than white women. Women living in the South or West had higher odds of primary medication non-adherence compared to those in the Midwest, while those in the Northeast were less likely. Women with eclampsia were more likely to abandon prescriptions than those without. Surprisingly, rurality, social determinants of health, and insurance type were not significantly associated with primary medication non-adherence. Additionally, the early COVID-19 years were associated with lower odds of primary medication non-adherence, potentially reflecting changes in healthcare access and/or prescribing practices during the pandemic.
CONCLUSIONS: Understanding postpartum hypertension medication use and primary medication non-adherence patterns is crucial for improving maternal health outcomes.