Adherence to Pharmacological Treatment in Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases: An Integrative Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic noncommunicable diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and have significant impacts on population quality of life and health systems. Adherence to pharmacological treatment is one of the main determinants of disease control and prevention of associated complications. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using SciELO, LILACS, the Virtual Health Library, and PubMed, considering studies published from 2015 to 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Results: The analyzed studies showed that socioeconomic factors, characteristics of therapeutic regimens, behavioral aspects, and limitations in access to health services directly influence treatment continuity. Educational interventions, multiprofessional follow-up, and clinical pharmaceutical services were also found to contribute to improved adherence and therapeutic outcomes. Conclusion: Promoting medication adherence should be considered a priority in the care of patients with chronic diseases, supporting clinical control, reducing complications, and improving quality of life.