Medication adherence and achievement of glycaemic targets in ambulatory type 2 diabetic patients

The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of nonadherence to antidiabetic medications in a Malaysian tertiary hospital and its association with patients’ glycaemic outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the diabetes clinic of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. Data was collected from patients’ medical records and also via personal interviews of type 2 diabetic patients. Of the 405 respondents recruited, 41.7% (95% CI, 36.9-46.4%) did not adhere to their antidiabetic medications. Only employment status of the respondents and the types of diabetic treatment were significantly associated with medication nonadherence. All the respondents were on antidiabetic medications, including 49.9% on insulin but only 17.4% (95% CI, 13.7-21.1%) achieved HbA1c of less than 6.5%. Those who were adherent to their antidiabetic medications were significantly more likely to achieve glycaemic control. Pharmacists should educate diabetic patients on the use of their medications and the importance of medication adherence. Such services will bring the healthcare system a step closer to achieving better clinical outcomes in this group of patients.