[Evaluation of Morisky medication adherence scale (mmas-8) in older adults of a primary health care center in Chile].

In order to determine whether the Morisky 8-item medication adherence (MMAS-8) is a useful instrument in elderly hypertensive patients attending a primary care center, we conducted a field study with a quantitative approach of evaluation of diagnostic tests in elderly hypertensive patients from the Cardiovascular Health Program Health in Cabrero, Chile. The results of the scale were compared with the blood pressure and the pill-count method. The diagnostic evaluation of the scale using the reference methods of blood pressure and pill count resulted: Sensitivity: 86%, 85%; specificity: 56%, 58%; positive predictive value: 60%, 65%; negative predictive value: 84%. 81%. In conclusion, the scale allows to detect in a simple way, and at a low cost, to people who are not adherent to their regimen of drug treatment.