Comparison Study of Compliance with Medication and Foot Care in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Abstract

Introduction: The term ``diabetes mellitus'' describes a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Adherence has been defined as the active, voluntary, and collaborative involvement of the patient in a mutually acceptable course of behavior to produce a therapeutic result. This definition implies that the patient has a choice and that both patients and providers mutually establish treatment goals and the medical regimen. Objectives: To assess the compliance for medication and foot care. Methodology: An interventional study was carried out in people having diabetes for atleast 2 years who visited BMCH, Chitradurga, Karnataka, for a period of six month. A total of 251 patients were enrolled in the study. SPSS software was used to calculate the statistical estimation. Student t-test was used to analyze different variables. Results: Adherence to medication revealed that 70 (27.89%) patients showed low adherence, 179 (71.34%) moderate adherence and 2 (0.79%) showed high adherence at the baseline. Follow up revealed 3 (1.19%) patients were found to be low adherent, 247 (99.40%) moderate adherence and 1 patient (0.39%) high adherent. Compliance to foot care showed that 242 (96.41%) poor compliance, 7(2.78%) moderate compliance and 2 (0.796%) high compliance at baseline. At follow-up it revealed that 144 (57.37%) showed poor compliance, 104 (41.43%) moderate compliance and 3 (1.195%) high compliance. Conclusion: As diabetes is a lifelong disease and taking medicines daily is difficult for patients. Pharmacist educating patient about importance of medication adherence and foot care to prevent further worsening the disease helps the patient to control blood glucose level and stay healthy.