Medication Adherence to Antidiabetic Therapy In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic, life long, metabolic disease associated with an array of dysfunctions characterized by hyperglycemia. To evaluate self reported medication adherence and to identify factors linked with poor adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A prospective, cross sectional, observational study was conducted for 6 months in 300 diabetic patients admitted in the KIMS hospital, Bangalore. Adherence to treatment was assessed during a personal interview with each patient using Morisky medication adherence scale. Patient counselling was done to provide education on disease and appropriate drug use Out of 300 type 2 diabetic patients, 67.78% men were more adherent to medication  as compared to women (22.62%), Patients in the age group of 45-64 years were 40.72% adherent to medication and patients above the age of 75 years were only 7.5 % adherent to medication. In our study patients new to therapy were only 7.69% likely to be adherent to their diabetes medication. Diabetic patients with a co morbid condition of hypertension disease were 31.67% adherent to medication and patients with thyroid disease were 2.26% adherent to medication. Patient information leaflets regarding diabetes mellitus type 2 were distributed to all patients. Patient counselling should be used widely for better patient care and outcomes. Efforts are needed to increase the medication adherence of elder patients and to patients who are new to therapy so they can realize the full benefits of prescribed therapies.