Medication adherence and quality of life among type-2 diabetes mellitus patients in India

The indirect effect of nonadherence on health-related quality of life in older adults with neurological disorders: implications for clinical endpoints and interventions

Objective

This study assessed how Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and nonadherence to medication are linked, to determine whether HRQoL is a suitable endpoint for clinical trials evaluating nonadherence.

Background

HRQoL is often used as an endpoint in clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of nonadherence interventions. However, the relationship between HRQoL and nonadherence is not clear, as some interventions find an effect of nonadherence on HRQoL while others do not. Since both HRQoL and nonadherence are latent constructs, it is of interest to understand the factors that link them.

Methods

Medication nonadherence was assessed in 731 older adults with neurological disorders using the Stendal Adherence to Medication Score (SAMS). Regression and network analyses were performed to examine the association between the SAMS and HRQoL (SF-36). Cognitive function, depressive symptoms, mobility, and healthcare satisfaction were included as covariates.

Results

There was a weak association between the SAMS and HRQoL only for the mental component scale. The relationship between the SAMS and HRQoL appears indirect, as its effect is nullified upon the inclusion of covariates, especially depressive symptoms. Network analyses showed that the effect of nonadherence on HRQoL is mainly delivered by depressive symptoms, while cognition and satisfaction with healthcare contribute to a lesser extent.

Conclusion

Nonadherence and HRQoL are both latent variables influenced by similar factors. The effect of nonadherence on HRQoL seems to be indirect and mainly delivered by depressive symptoms, possibly via motivational pathways. These associations need to be considered when selecting clinical endpoints and planning interventions.

Association Between Quality of Life and Drug Adherence Among Patients With Diabetes in India

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes represents a significant global health concern. Effective diabetes management necessitates substantial behavioral and psychological modifications, including regular glucose monitoring, dietary adjustments, and medication adherence. However, treatment adherence remains suboptimal, particularly in developing countries, leading to poor glycaemic control, increased healthcare costs, and diminished quality of life (QoL). Common factors influencing medication nonadherence include lack of medication knowledge, age, education of patients, polypharmacy, duration of disease, cost of therapy, complexity of dosing regime, and the presence of comorbidities. So, the study aims to assess the adherence status to antidiabetic medication and its association with QoL among diabetes patients in the Anand district of Gujarat state.

METHODOLOGY

A study was carried out in Anand district, Gujarat, from 2023 to 2024, focusing on community-based cross-sectional research. In the eight blocks of Anand district, a two-stage cluster sampling method was utilized, with one village or town randomly chosen from each taluka, and 25 diabetes patients interviewed per area. Data collection involved visiting 200 participants' houses, starting with a randomly selected house and continuing until the target was met. The interviews, conducted in the local language, lasted around 45 minutes and utilized a pre-validated and pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire covered demographic details, disease characteristics, and medication adherence using the semi-structured scale from Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale (ARMS-D), as well as the assessment of QoL using the WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Sociodemographic attributes were presented in terms of percentages (%) and frequencies (N). The means and standard deviation (SD) of health-related QoL and adherence to anti-diabetic medication were reported. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to assess the impact of adherence to antidiabetic medication within each QoL area after adjusting for a few sociodemographic variables. P values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The study included predominantly older participants (58.1 years) with 53.5% being male. Most participants (65.5%) had diabetes for more than 5 years, 60.0% had comorbidities, and 29.0% experienced complications. Nonadherence to treatment was observed in 37.0% of patients. The study found that factors like age, education, occupation, family history of diabetes, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise habits, and medication adherence significantly influenced the QoL in diabetic patients, with medication adherence showing the strongest positive association with all QoL domains.

CONCLUSION

This study shows a high percentage of nonadherence to antidiabetic medications. Poor adherence had significantly lower mean scores across all domains of QoL. Community-based educational programs targeting older and less-educated individuals should promote regular physical activity. Developing strategies to improve medication adherence and ensuring affordable access to essential medications, along with prioritizing enhancements in the QoL through psychosocial support and lifestyle counseling are imperative for diabetic patients.

Interfaces of 'being healthy and being Ill': how is health being perceived by individuals with non-communicable chronic conditions?

BACKGROUND

Accommodating chronic care into the everyday lives of individuals diagnosed with non-communicable chronic conditions often poses significant challenges. Several studies in public health literature that addressed the question of non-adherence to treatment by turning their gaze towards individual's perception of their own health restricted the use of perception exploration to visceral states and corporeality without adequately acknowledging the mutual permeance of socio-biological worlds. This study explored the socio-economic genealogies of individuals, to understand the role of structural and intermediate factors that determine health perceptions, by attempting to answer the question 'how do individuals with non-communicable chronic conditions perceive their health as healthy or ill'?.

METHODS

This study was conducted in a low-income neighbourhood called Kadugondanahalli in India using qualitative research methods. A total of 20 in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals diagnosed with non-communicable chronic conditions. Individuals were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling.

RESULTS

The participants predominantly perceived their health as being healthy and ill in an episodic manner while adhering to their treatment and medications for chronic conditions. This was strongly determined by the factors such as presence of family support and caregiving, changes in work and occupation, changes in lifestyle, psychological stress from being diagnosed, and care-seeking practices. This episodic perception of illness led to the non-adherence of prescribed chronic care.

CONCLUSIONS

Due to the episodic manner in which the participants experienced their illness, the paper recommends considering health and illness as two different entities while researching chronic conditions. It is important for the health system to understand and fix the healthy and ill episodes, which often lead to switching between controlled and uncontrolled states of diabetes and hypertension. To do so, it is important to consider the social, economic, behavioural and psychological factors in an individual's health outcome. The interplay between these factors has socialized health perception and various related practices from the individual to the community level. Therefore, the health system needs to re-strategize its focus from individual to community level interventions to address the determinants of health and NCD risk factors by strengthening the NCD prevention approach.

A Review on Affordable Combinations in Type 2 Diabetes Care: Exploring the Cost-Effective Potential of Glipizide + Metformin and Glimepiride + Metformin + Pioglitazone

Management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) largely relies on medication adherence of individuals with diabetes to achieve optimal glycemic control. The economic burden of diabetes could impede adherence, leading to a reduction in treatment efficacy and increased risk of complications. Furthermore, monotherapy in diabetes is losing traction due to its ineffectiveness in achieving early and sustained optimal glycemic control in a significant proportion of the population. Hence, clinicians prefer combination treatment due to their improved efficacy and safety. Considering these factors, the current review highlights the safety and efficacy of the affordable combination therapies, a dual therapy, glipizide + metformin, and a triple-drug combination of glimepiride + metformin + pioglitazone and its applicability in the management of T2DM among individuals with diabetes in India.

Medication Adherence among Primary Care Patients with Common Mental Disorders and Chronic Medical Conditions in Rural India

Background

Only a few studies have explored the relationship between psychosocial factors and medication adherence in Indian patients with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). We aimed to examine the association of psychosocial variables with medication adherence in people with NCDs and comorbid common mental disorders (CMDs) from primary care in rural southern India.

Methods

We performed a secondary analysis using baseline data from a randomized controlled trial in 49 primary care health centers in rural southern India (HOPE study). Participants were adults (≥30 years) with NCDs that included hypertension, diabetes, and/or ischemic heart disease, and comorbid depression or anxiety disorders. Medication adherence was assessed by asking participants if they had missed any prescribed NCD medication in the past month. Data were collected between May 2015 and November 2018. The association between psychosocial and demographic variables and medication nonadherence were assessed via logistic regression analyses.

Results

Of the 2486 participants enrolled, almost one-fifth (18.06%) reported missing medication. Male sex (OR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.37-2.22) and higher internalized mental illness stigma (OR = 1.46, 95% CI 1.07-2.00) were associated with higher odds of missing medication. Older age (OR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.26-0.60, for participants aged 64-75 years vs 30-44 years), reporting more social support (OR = 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.86), and higher satisfaction with health (OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.61-0.89) were associated with lower odds of missing medication.

Conclusions

Greater internalized mental illness stigma and less social support are significantly associated with lower rates of medication adherence in patients with NCDs and comorbid CMDs in rural India.

Medication Adherence and its Predictors among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Medication adherence is vital in managing noncommunicable diseases like diabetes. Illness perception and an individual's knowledge regarding the disease may influence medication adherence. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of medication adherence among type 2 diabetic patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 diabetes mellitus patients attending an outdoor patient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in North India. Brief Medication Questionnaire (BMQ) and Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) were used to study medication adherence and illness perception, respectively. Descriptive and analytic statistics were computed using Epi Info software for Windows (CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA). The prevalence of medication adherence was 79.5% (82/400). The odds of medication adherence increased with higher age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.8 [1.1-2.9]) and more duration of illness (OR = 1.8 [1.0-3.2]) Patients having good knowledge of diabetes were more likely to adhere to medications. [OR=1.8(1.1-3.1). Diabetes medicine-adherent patients had a higher perceived understanding of the disease, felt having lesser negative consequences, and were less concerned about the illness than their counterparts. A high proportion adhered to diabetes medication. The guiding factors to further improve medication adherence are age, duration of illness, illness perception, and knowledge regarding the disease.

Diabetes Health Literacy, Drug Adherence and Factors Associated with Them among Urban Patients in Kerala, India

Aims

The study aimed to assess diabetes health literacy, adherence to diabetes medication, and its associated factors in Kerala, India, the most advanced Indian state in epidemiological transition with the highest literacy level in India.

Materials and methods

We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study among 280 diabetes patients (mean age 62 years, male 42%) selected by multistage cluster sampling. Information on sociodemographic variables was collected using a pretested structured interview schedule. Diabetes health literacy was assessed using the revised Michigan Diabetes Knowledge test. Adherence to diabetes medication was assessed using the Hill-Bone subscale. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to find out the factors associated with diabetes health literacy and medication adherence.

Results

Good diabetes health literacy was reported by 35.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 30.1-41.6] of the patients. Perfect adherence to diabetes medication was reported by 33.2% of patients (CI: 27.7-39.1). Patients who reported regular newspaper reading [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.16; CI: 1.57-6.30], using the internet (AOR 2.23; CI: 1.11-4.50) and insulin use (AOR 2.60; CI: 1.35-5.00) were more likely to report good diabetes health literacy compared to their counterparts. Patients who reported reading health magazines (AOR 2.75; CI: 1.01-7.60) were more likely to report perfect medication adherence compared to those who did not.

Conclusion

Why diabetes health literacy and medication adherence were low among diabetes patients in the most literate state needs further investigation. Interventions to enhance diabetes health literacy and medication adherence may be undertaken among diabetes patients encouraging them to read newspapers and health magazines regularly and use the internet.

Medication Adherence among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Its Related Factors-A Real-World Pilot Study in Bulgaria

Background and Objectives: The objective is to evaluate medication adherence level (MA) and the relevant determinants of MA among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) monitored in ambulatory settings by general practitioners. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with T2DM monitored in a GP practice in Sofia, Bulgaria (September-December 2022). All patients were interviewed according to a predesigned questionnaire after granting informed consent. MA level was evaluated through the Morisky-Green four-item questionnaire, and health-related quality of life was evaluated by EQ-5D-5L and VAS (visual analogue scale). Data were aggregated and statistically evaluated. Results: The total number of observed patients was 93. Around 48.4% of patients were female, and 90.3% of patients were between 50 and 80 years of age. Multimorbidity was identified among 70% (n = 65) of the respondents. High and medium levels of MA were revealed in 64.51% and 33.3% of respondents, respectively. Patients treated with insulin secretagogues were most adherent to the therapy (n = 83.3%) in comparison with the other treatment groups. The onset of the disease, professional status, age, gender, number of therapies, and quality of life did not affect the level of MA (p > 0.05). VAS scores among nonsmokers (VAS = 63.16 ± 20.45 vs. 72.77 ± 14.3) and non-consumers of alcohol (VAS = 63.91 ± 19.34 vs. VAS = 72.54 ± 15.98) were statistically significant lower (p < 0.05). A significant related factor for MA was years lived with diabetes (OR = 3.039, 95% CI 1.1436-8.0759, p = 0.0258). The longer the disease duration, the more the odds for a high MA level increased. Conclusions: The number of nonadherent diabetic patients in Bulgaria is low, which might be evidence of patients' concern about their own health and understanding about the importance of prescribed therapy. Further comprehensive study with additional patients is required to confirm the results and investigate the predicting factors for a high level of MA.

Medication adherence and environmental barriers to self-care practice among people with diabetes: A cross-sectional study in a lifestyle clinic in eastern India

Objective

The study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of non-adherence to medications among patients with type 2 diabetes attending a lifestyle clinic in a tertiary care hospital in West Bengal, India; to identify the environmental barriers to self-care practices, including diet, exercise, glucose testing and medication; and to identify the socio-demographic and environmental determinants of medication non-adherence.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed among the patients with type 2 diabetes taking oral hypoglycemic drugs and attending a lifestyle clinic of a teaching hospital in 2021. The participants were interviewed in clinical settings via a structured questionnaire in the local language. Medication adherence was assessed with Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS), and environmental barriers were assessed with the Environmental Barrier Assessment Scale (EBAS).

Results

Among 178 participants, a high level of adherence (MMAS score 8.0) was found among 3 (1.7%) participants, and moderate adherence (MMAS score 6.0 to 7.75) was found among 67 (37.6%; 95% CI 30.3%, 44.9%) participants. The prevalence of non-adherence was 60.7% (95% CI: 53.4%, 68.0%). The overall mean barrier score was 134 (SD 13). All environmental barrier components were distributed equally among the predictor variables except the diet score, which was lower among men (mean difference 1.3; 95% CI: 0.04, 2.5) and people with higher education (mean difference 1.8; 95% CI: 0.6, 3.1).

Conclusion

The study indicated poor adherence to OHA in this population. Barriers to self-care practice and medication adherence were observed acrross all socio-economic strata. Poor medication adherence poses a major challenge to clinicians and public health experts in achieving treatment goals.

Self-care behaviours among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in South Asian countries is increasing rapidly. Self-care behaviour plays a vital role in managing T2DM and preventing complications. Research on self-care behaviours among people with T2DM has been widely conducted in South Asian countries, but there are no systematic reviews that assess self-care behaviour among people with T2DM in South Asia. This study systematically assessed the studies reporting self-care behaviours among people with T2DM in South-Asia.

Methods

Adhering to the PRISMA guidelines, we searched six bibliographic databases (Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, and PsychInfo) to identify the relevant articles published between January 2000 through March 2022. Eligibility criteria included all observational and cross-sectional studies reporting on the prevalence of self-care behaviours (ie, diet, physical activity, medication adherence, blood glucose monitoring, and foot care) conducted in South Asian countries among people with T2DM.

Results

The database search returned 1567 articles. After deduplication (n = 758) and review of full-text articles (n = 192), 92 studies met inclusion criteria and were included. Forward and backward reference checks were performed on included studies, which resulted in an additional 18 articles. The pooled prevalence of adherence to blood glucose monitoring was 65% (95% CI = 49-80); 64% for medication adherence (95% CI = 53-74); 53% for physical activity (95% CI = 39-66); 48% for diet (95% CI = 38-58); 42% for foot care (95% CI = 30-54). About a quarter of people with T2DM consumed alcohol (25.2%, IQR = 13.8%-38.1%) and were using tobacco products (18.6%, IQR = 10.6%-23.8%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the prevalence of self-care behaviours among people with T2DM in South Asia is low. This shows an urgent need to thoroughly investigate the barriers to the practising of self-care and design and implement interventions to improve diabetes self-care behaviour among people with T2DM in South Asia.