Patients' adherence to diabetes treatment.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: a) To evaluate the patients' adherence to the treatment prescriptions and b) to analyse the reasons for non adherence. METHODS: A random sample of 386--type 2 diabetic subjects (MF 223163) were studied. Each subject was personally interviewed using a computerised proforma. The mean age of the study group was 52 +/- 10 years and 53% were treated with oral hypolycenic agent (OHA) and the rest with a combination of insulin and OHA. The mean duration of diabetes was 11.0 +/- 6.9 yrs. The overall adherence to the treatment regimen, diet and drug prescriptions and also regularity of home glucose monitoring by blood or urine tests were assessed. RESULTS: It was noted that only 25% of the study group were adhering to the treatment regularly. Dietary prescriptions were followed regularly only by thirty seven percent. Home glucose monitoring was being done only by twenty three percent. Non adherence was not related either to the age or duration of diabetes. Non adherence was more in the lower socio-economic group and was inversely related to the educational status. It was noted that approximately 20% of the subjects had an indifferent attitude to the advice given. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that the rate of non adherence of treatment prescriptions was high. It stresses the need for constant motivation and one to one level education at frequent intervals to ensure better compliance to the treatment.