Evaluation of therapeutic adherence to antihyperglycemic agents in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

Introduction-Aim: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a major public health problem. To succeed its management and prevent its complications, good therapeutic adherence must be ensured. The objectives of our work were to estimate the prevalence of poor therapeutic adherence in our patients and to identify its associated factors.

Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional, single-center study that included type 2 diabetic outpatients. Therapeutic adherence to antihyperglycemic agents was assessed by the 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8).

Results: We included 172 patients. The mean age was 59.7±9.5 years. The mean duration of T2D was 11.7±8.5 years. Glycemic targets were achieved in 35% of patients with a mean HbA1c of 8.5±1.8%. The prevalence of poor adherence was 66.1%. Factors associated with poor adherence were age <65 years (p=0.007), low educational level (p=0.026), diabetes follow-up < 2 consultations/year (p=0.004), non-practice of self-monitoring of blood glucose (p=0.008) and ignorance of glycemic targets (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Poor adherence affects a large proportion of our T2D patients. In order to improve it, therapeutic adherence should be an important theme in the education of patient.