Quality of life and accession to the pharmacological treatment among elderly hypertensive.

Objective: to compare variables obtained in adherence and non-adherence to drug treatment for hypertension, according to socioeconomic situation, time of diagnosis, self-reported morbidities, indicative of depression and quality of life.

Method: cross-sectional analytical study of 524 elderly with adherence and 505 non-adherence to the treatment. A descriptive analysis, Chi-square test and Student t test (p < 0.05) were held.

Results: there was higher proportion of older subjects, indicative of morbidity and depression among those with adherence. Non-adherence subjects had lower scores in all domains and quality of life facets.

Conclusion: actions favoring the adherence to pharmacological treatment should be recommended, to minimize the impact of comorbidities and improve quality of life.