Medication Possession and Glycemic Control Among Uninsured Type 2 Diabetics

Diabetes is a complex disease, and patients face barriers to reaching glycosylated hemoglobin (HgbA1c) goals. A retrospective cohort chart review evaluated if the cost of diabetes medications is a barrier to glycemic goals in uninsured patients receiving reduced-cost medications. Thirty-five patients were followed over 6 months to determine the association between HgbA1c and medication possession, monthly income, drug costs/month/patient, and poverty level. Higher HgbA1c was associated with higher drug cost/month (P = 0.005), but better medication possession was not associated with lower HgbA1c levels. Providers should tailor care to address factors (other than cost) known to influence HgbA1c. (C) 2012 American College of Nurse Practitioners