The Belief in Conventional Medicine and Adherence to Treatment in Non–Insulin- Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Patients

We investigated the role of belief in conventional medicine, the type of medical care, and familiar and socioeconomic factors on the adherence to treatment in non–insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients. In a cross-sectional design, we selected 156 patients from two institutions, who agreed to fill out a questionnaire, which included general data, socioeconomic level, somatometric data, type of medical care, complications, if they had friends and relatives with diabetes, the family function, and a score on the belief in conventional medicine. Factors associated with adherence to diet and medication were analyzed. Patients had a mean age of 55.6 years and 8.9 years since diagnosis. A total of 51.3% of them were not covered by social security, and 62.8% received attention by a general physician. Patients under the care of a specialist had better adherence to diet and medication, and better belief in conventional medicine. The principal factor associated with adherence to medication and diet was the belief in conventional medicine ( p < 0.001 in both). Adherence to diet was also associated with the socioeconomic level ( p = 0.001) and years since diagnosis ( p = 0.004). Adherence to medication was also associated with schooling ( p = 0.001). We concluded that belief in conventional medicine is strongly associated with adherence to treatment and other factors such as schooling, socioeconomic level, and medical care under a specialist; adherence to diet was better in patients with more years since diagnosis.