A mixed methods study on non-adherence to oral antidiabetic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: Unveiling the post-intervention outcomes
Mukesh Kumar, Surendra Reddy Kovvuru, Gurkaran Bedi, Naushad Akhtar, Pritama Paul, Uttam Kumar PaulAbstract
Background:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease. Despite available treatments, non-adherence to prescribed regimens remains a significant challenge, influenced by various factors.
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of interventions targeting adherence to oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) in T2DM management while understanding the factors contributing to treatment failure and exploring strategies to improve medication adherence and overall disease management.
Materials and Methods:
A mixed research design, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, was applied in this study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among 327 patients with T2DM attending the medicine department of a tertiary medical college in Bihar for 3 years. Participants were individuals (>18 years) taking OHAs but experiencing symptoms despite treatment. Various intervention techniques were applied. Data analysis involved qualitative coding and categorization of interview transcripts.
Results:
The study revealed significant insights into the demographic profile of patients with T2DM, with notable patterns in age, gender, educational status, and employment. Forgetfulness, economic concerns, fear of adverse effects, complexity of treatment plans, non-availability of medication, and preference for alternative treatments emerged as primary barriers to adherence. Interventions led to improved adherence and diabetes management for the majority of patients, with 203 (62%) showing signs of improvement post-intervention.
Conclusion:
This study highlights the significance of understanding and addressing barriers to adherence in T2DM management. Despite limitations, the insights gained offer valuable directions for future research and interventions aimed at enhancing adherence and patient outcomes in T2DM treatment.