Open Access
Exploring variables associated with medication non-adherence in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Author(s) -
Walid AlQerem,
Anan S. Jarab,
Mohammad Badinjki,
Dana Hyassat,
Raghda Qarqaz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0256666
Subject(s) - medication adherence , diabetes mellitus , medicine , type 2 diabetes , type 2 diabetes mellitus , intensive care medicine , endocrinology
Objective This study aims to assess medication adherence and explore its predictors in outpatients with type 2 diabetes. Method This cross-sectional study collected socio-demographics, disease-related information, and different biomedical variables for type 2 diabetes patients attending a Jordanian Diabetes center. The four-item medication adherence scale (4-IMAS) and the beliefs about medications questionnaire (BMQ) which includes necessity and concerns were used. Stepwise backward quartile regression models were conducted to evaluate variables associated with the Necessity and Concerns scores. Stepwise ordinal regression was conducted to evaluate variables associated with adherence. Results 287 diabetic patients participated in the study. Almost half of the participants (46.5%) reported moderate adherence and 12.2% reported low adherence. Significant predictors of the adherence were necessity score (OR = 14.86, p <0.01), concern score (OR = 0.36, p <0.05), and frequency of medication administration (OR = 0.88, p- <0.01). Education was a significant predictor of Necessity and Concerns scores (β = 0.48, -0.2, respectively). Conclusion Simplifying the medication regimen, emphasizing medication necessity and overcoming medication concerns should be targeted in future diabetes intervention programs to improve medication adherence and hence glycemic control among diabetic patients.