Factors Affecting Treatment Interruption and its Correlation with Days Off with the Treatment in Diabetes

Background: Treatment interruption in chronic conditions, especially diabetes mellitus, can significantly affect glycemic control, affecting the onset of a diabetes-related complication. Objectives: To evaluate the factors associated with the treatment interruption and compare them with the days off from the treatment. Materials and Methods: 491 diabetes patients were included in the survey at Diabetes, Obesity & Thyroid center, Gwalior between September 2018 to December 2018. Responses were recorded using a detailed questionnaire comprising of 25 questions. Responses were recorded in “Yes” or “No” format. Responses were compared with the days off from the treatment talking five months as a cut-off. Results: Treatment interruption was more common within five months of starting the treatment. Reasons such as financial problem (p=0.722), no one to accompany them for a visit (p=0.640), non-availability of medicines (p=0.020), busy in family obligation (p=0.381), not aware of the consequences of missing the doses (p=0.139), and lack of awareness to take medication (p=0.450) were insignificant responses when compared between the cut off of five months of day's off. Most of the patients were shifted to alternate medicine within five months of starting the treatment (120/62; p<0.001). Side effects were another significant factor associated with the treatment interruption within five months of starting the treatment (229/98; p<0.001). Those with a family history of diabetes (p=0.013), were current smokers (p=0.008), and were married (p=0.044) had early treatment interruption. Conclusion: Patients who did not have sufficient time to visit the diabetes centre, had an inclination towards the alternative medicine for diabetes treatment, side effects of the medication, and beliefs of the patient that diabetes medication has the long-life medication period have made the patients stop the treatment within five months of starting the treatment. Family history of diabetes, current smoking, and those who were married had early treatment interruption.