Illness perception of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Veterans Memorial Medical Center - Out-Patient Department and their influence on medication adherence

ABSTRACT

Background@#Medication adherence is important in attaining good glycemic control in diabetic patients. Low medication adherence is more prevalent in developing countries like the Philippines. Understanding patients’ perceptions and health beliefs is a strategy to improve health care practitioners’ approach for better medication adherence.@*Objective@#This aims to determine illness perception of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients using the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire on Diabetes Mellitus(IPQ-R) and its influ ence on medication adherence using the Four-item Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale(MGLS) and a calendar for tracking patients’ diabetes medication intake.@*Methods@#This was conducted at Veterans Memorial Medical Center Outpatient Department. Data was collected between December 2018 - October 2019 with 311 participants. A self-administered questionnaire for sociodemographic profile, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire on Diabetes Mellitus (IPQ-R), a calendar for tracking patients’ diabetes medication intake, and Four-item Morisky Green Levine Medication Adherence Scale (MGLS) were used.@*Results@#Patients had low Identity perception, indicating they attributed few symptoms to diabetes. They had moderate Timeline perception of diabetes as a chronic illness with an unstable cyclical course. High perception was noted in Illness Coherence, Treatment Control and Personal Control. Moderate perception was demonstrated in Consequences and Emotional Representations. Participants identified diet, hereditary, stress, own behavior and aging as Top 5 causes of diabetes. Majority had medium adherence, followed by high and low adherence levels. Medication adherence was significantly associated with income, and IPQ- R categories of Personal Control, Treatment Control, Emotional Representations and Illness Coherence.@*Conclusion@#Those with perceived control of their illness, better understanding, belief in efficacy of medications, distressing experiences and higher financial capabilities have better medication adherence. Health care practitioners may assess illness perceptions of diabetics, enhancing programs and improving patient-physician communication in guiding coping behaviors through patient education resulting to improved glycemic control.