Investigating the role of treatment adherence in predicting marital satisfaction among women with coronary artery disease: A cross-sectional study from Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the effect of coronary artery disease on sexual function and the relation between sexual function and marital satisfaction, few studies have investigated the effect of treatment adherence on marital satisfaction. The present study aims to investigate the role of treatment adherence in predicting marital satisfaction among women with coronary artery disease.

METHODOLOGY: In this cross-sectional study, 385 women with coronary artery disease in Bushehr-Iran, 2021, were selected using a convenient sampling method. The data were collected using the demographic form, Seyed Fatemi medication adherence scale, female sexual function index, and evaluation and nurturing relationship issues, communication, and happiness marital satisfaction scale. The data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression tests.

RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) age of the participants was 52.19 ± 12.15 years old. Considering the effect of demographic variables, treatment adherence ( β = 0.164, P  = 0.001) and sexual function ( β = 0.156, P  = 0.001) were positive predictors of marital satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: Treatment adherence was a positive predictor of marital satisfaction. Healthcare providers should pay attention to the family consequences of non-adherence to treatment. Moreover, when counseling patients to adhere to the treatment, they should mention the physical benefits as well as psychological and family outcomes in order to motivate patients to follow their treatment.