Multifactorial approach and adherence to prescribed oral medications in patients with type 2 diabetes

Summary The aims of this study were to assess adherence to oral hypoglycaemic/cardiovascular drugs and determine non‐adherence predictors in type 2 diabetes patients. It was designed as a population‐based cross‐sectional study in which 90 patients from a primary care setting were studied. Pill count and self‐report methods were used to measure adherence. Logistic regression analysis was performed to predict factors related to non‐adherence. Adequate adherence to all drugs was found in 29 patients (35.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 25.0–45.7). Variables associated with non‐adherence were HbA1c odds ratio (OR) 2.32 (95% CI: 1.09–4.95), systolic blood pressure OR 1.68 (95% CI: 1.08–2.62), total cholesterol OR 1.34 (95% CI: 1.08–1.66), number of pills OR 1.80 (95% CI: 1.26–2.55) and duration of disease OR 0.44 (CI 95%: 0.24–0.83). In conclusion, one in three patients had adequate adherence. Factors associated with non‐adherence were duration of disease, complexity of drug regimen and inadequate control of cardiovascular risk factors.