Medication Adherence and Predictors of Non-Adherence among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Sohag, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent chronic disease with a fast-growing burden worldwide. Medication adherence is considered a cornerstone in its management and plays a major role in glycemic control and hence prevention of complications. Objective: This study aimed to determine the magnitude and predictors of medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Sohag, Egypt. Method: a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 400 diabetic patients who were presented to the outpatient clinics of El-Balyana family medicine center in Sohag for follow up. A structured questionnaire that contains questions about socio-demographic and clinical data of the participants in addition to the Arabic version of Morisky eight-item Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used in data collection Results: Less than half the studied diabetic patients (44.5%) were adherent to therapy. Marital status of the patient, absence of comorbid disease and diabetes complication and being educated frequently about the disease and treatment regimen were the most important predictors of medication adherence detected by the study. Conclusion: The level of medication adherence in the current study is low and sub-optimal, it implies the need for enhancing better education about the disease at short intervals to raise the level of adherence and hence enhance adequate glycemic control among diabetic patients.