Assessment of medication adherence and its predictors in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in tertiary care teaching hospital: A cross-sectional observational study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48047/Keywords:
.Abstract
Background: Medication adherence is crucial for achieving optimal glycemic control and preventing complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, medication adherence is often suboptimal and influenced by various factors.
Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to assess medication adherence and its predictors in T2DM patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital in India. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 118 T2DM patients attending the hospital's outpatient department. Medication adherence was measured using the Medication Adherence Score. The sociodemographic, clinical, and drug use profile variables were collected using a structured questionnaire. The association between medication adherence and the potential predictors was analysed using a chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.76±7.90 years and 69% were male. The mean Medication Adherence score was 25.97± 1.63, and only 46% of the patients were classified as adherent. The factors significantly associated with medication adherence were age, socioeconomic status, residence, co-morbidity, medication knowledge score. The patients who were elderly, in the lower middle or upper lower socioeconomic class, living in rural areas, having co-morbid conditions, and having a low medication knowledge score were more likely to be non-adherent than their counterparts.
Conclusion: The medication adherence among T2DM patients in the tertiary care teaching hospital was low and influenced by various factors. There is a need to implement interventions to improve medication adherence and knowledge among these patients, especially those who are at a higher risk of non-adherence. The interventions should be tailored to the patient’s characteristics and preferences and involve patient education, counseling, reminders, and feedback.
