Relationship between adherence to anti-diabetic medication and depression among patients with diabetes mellitus in three selected Chinese hospitals

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the relationship between adherence to anti-diabetic medication and depression among patients with diabetes mellitus in three hospitals in Chinese. Methods: This research utilized a quantitative and descriptive design, and included 200 diabetic patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria for recruitment through a convenient sampling technique. The study applied Beck's depression inventory II scale for assessment of depression, and a questionnaire for adherence to anti-diabetic medication. Results: A total of 64 (32 %) participants had diabetes for 6 to 10 years. There was a high level of adherence to anti-diabetic medication in 96 patients (48 %); 74 participants (37 %) had moderate adherence to anti-diabetic medication, while 30 patients (15 %) had low adherence. A majority of the patients (181, 90.5 %) had no depression. Six (6) patients (3 %) had mild mood disturbance, 2 patients (1 %) had borderline clinical depression, while 11patients (5.5 %) experienced moderate depression. Adherence to anti-diabetic medication was not associated with depression (p = 0.068). However, depression was associated with age > 50 years (p = 0.041), female sex (p = 0.043), long duration of illness (> 5-years) (p = 0.048), and presence of one or more comorbidities (p = 0.049). Conclusion: There was no association between adherence to anti-diabetic medication and depression among diabetic patients.