A Study on the Assessment of Medication Adherence in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Medication adherence refers to how closely a patient takes their prescription drugs as directed by their doctor. Medication compliance is important for controlling a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and is affected by several factors, including pharmaceutical cost, treatment complexity, and lack of knowledge. This study assessed adherence levels in T2DM patients over 30 years. Medication adherence was assessed using MMAS-8 scores among 400 T2DM patients in tertiary care hospitals, classifying adherence as low, moderate and high. Data on demographics, disease duration, complications, family history, social habits and drug use were collected and analysed. Chi-square (χ²) test was employed to assess the correlation between variables and medication compliance. The research discovered  that 19% of T2DM patients have low adherence, 47% have moderate adherence, and 34% have high adherence. High adherence was seen in males, those aged 46-60 years, and patients with a disease duration of 0-5 years. Adherence was lower in those with complications, particularly coronary artery disease(CAD) and higher in patients on monotherapy compared to multiple drug regimens. Non-smokers, non-drinkers and individuals having a history of diabetes in the family also showed better adherence. The study found moderate adherence in most T2DM patients, with key factors like demographics, clinical conditions, and lifestyle influencing adherence. Tailored interventions, improved education, and counselling are crucial for better outcomes, particularly for patients with longer disease duration, complications and complex regimens.