1.Medication Adherence Among Patients with Arterial Hypertension
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;92(2):23-27
Background:
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), arterial hypertension accounts for approximately 58% of the causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence and mortality. Consistent adherence to antihypertensive medication significantly reduces morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from pharmacological treatment outcomes indicates that approximately half of individuals with hypertension do not receive antihypertensive drug therapy. Moreover, the proportion of untreated hypertension is higher among men (55.2%) compared with women (45.6%). However, studies assessing medication adherence among patients with arterial hypertension remain limited, which provided the rationale for conducting this study.
Aim:
To determine the level of medication adherence among patients with arterial hypertension.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was employed. General study information was collected using a structured questionnaire, and medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) developed by Dr. Donald Morisky. The scale consists of eight questions. The total adherence score was categorized as follows: 8 points – high adherence; 6–7 points – moderate adherence; and <6 points – low adherence. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (MNUMS) according to Resolution No. 2023/3-07 of the meeting held on June 16, 2023. Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis of medication adherence was performed using SPSS version 29. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Result:
A total of 600 patients aged 25–85 years participated in the study. Among them, 14.8% (n=89) were aged 25–45 years, 29.3% (n=176) were aged 46–55 years, 38.7% (n=232) were aged 56–65 years, 15.5% (n=93) were aged 66–75 years, and 1.7% (n=10) were aged 76–85 years. The mean age was 56.35±9.9 years. The mean body weight was 73.95±13.69 kg, mean height 161.21±9.92 cm, and mean body mass index (BMI) 28.37±5.03 kg/m² (28.08 kg/m² in men and 28.53 kg/m² in women). The mean systolic blood pressure was 131.93±17.42 mmHg (135.0 mmHg in men and 130.0 mmHg in women), and the mean diastolic blood pressure was 83.58±13.3 mmHg. Regarding lifestyle factors, 27.3% (n=164) of the participants were smokers and 72.7% (n=436) were non-smokers, while 21.5% (n=129) reported alcohol consumption and 78.5% (n=471) did not consume alcohol. Based on the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, medication adherence among patients with arterial hypertension was classified as high in 14.8% (n=89), moderate in 7.2% (n=43), and low in 78.0% (n=468).
Conclusion
Evaluation of medication adherence among patients with arterial hypertension revealed that approximately one in five patients demonstrated inadequate adherence to antihypertensive medication.
2.Factors associated with complications and recurrence of erysipelas
Purevsod L ; Nomin B ; Khorolgarav G ; Davaakhuu B ; Oyungerel R ; Baatarkhuu O ; ; Nyamtsengel V
Mongolian Journal of Health Sciences 2026;94(4):37-42
Background:
Erysipelas is an acute, recurrent infectious disease caused by Group A β-hemolytic streptococcus. Recurrence occurs in 12–29% of patients, and complications in approximately 31%. International studies indicate that age, sex, and skin conditions are key factors influencing complications and recurrence. In Mongolia, the incidence of erysipelas has not steadily declined, and there is a lack of studies investigating clinical and laboratory predictors of complications and recurrence.
Aim::
This study aimed to investigate clinical and laboratory predictors of complications and recurrence among erysipelas cases registered in Mongolia.
Materials and Methods:
A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 165 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of erysipelas at the National Center for Communicable Diseases between 2020 and 2024 were randomly selected. Data were collected based on the “Clinical Guidelines for Erysipelas.” Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-26, and ROC curve analysis along with regression models were used to determine risk and predictive factors. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
The mean age of participants was 50.4±14.2 years; 76.5% were female, and 32.1% were herders. Recurrence was observed in 55.1% of patients (42.8% repeated episodes, 57.2% recurrent cases), and complications occurred in 10.3%. Among patients with complications, lesions were most commonly located on the face (41.2%) and predominantly presented as erythematous-bullous forms (70.6%). The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio was 7.1 (AUC: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79–0.91, p=0.001), and the systemic inflammatory response index was 3.9 (AUC: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.98, p=0.001), indicating high levels. Multivariable regression analysis showed that risk factors for complications included age >45 years (aOR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.7, p=0.004), female sex (aOR=2.8, 95% CI: 1.7–4.6, p=0.001), and occupation (herder) (aOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.3–5.4, p=0.001). Chronic tonsillitis was significantly associated with recurrence (OR=3.8, 95% CI: 2.5–5.7, p=0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that each additional year of age increased the risk of complications by 2% (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03, p=0.003), while the presence of chronic tonsillitis increased the risk of recurrence by 7.69 times (HR=7.69, 95% CI: 5.15–11.49, p=0.001).
Conclusion
Cellular ratio indicators in erysipelas are useful for assessing inflammatory activity and disease progression. Age, sex, occupation, and the presence of chronic tonsillitis significantly influence the risk of complications and recurrence in erysipelas.
Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail