Medication-taking behaviour in New South Wales patients with type 2 diabetes: an observational study

This study aimed to (1) determine adherence to diabetes medication in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients; (2) describe respondents' attitudes and beliefs about medications, and barriers to adherence; and (3) to model predictors of non-adherence. Data were collected using online and postal surveys. Diabetes patients aged >= 18 years who were members of the Australian Diabetes Council were invited to participate. Main outcome measures were adherence to diabetes medication using 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Score (MMAS-8) and beliefs about medication using the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire. A total of 543 T2D patients responded to the survey. The median (interquartile range) MMAS-8 score was 6.8 (5.0-7.0). The prevalence of adherence (MMAS-8 score >= 6) was 64.6%. The proportion of respondents who expressed concern about taking medications was 53.6%. Potential predictors of adherence included age (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.19-2.82), concern about medication (OR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.87-0.96), knowledge of diabetes (OR, 0.85, 95% CI, 0.73-0.99), having difficulty in paying for medication (OR, 0.51; 95% CI,0.33-0.79), having more than one regular pharmacy (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95), and using insulin (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.30-0.81). Adherence to taking diabetes medication in a sample of the Australian T2D patient population was suboptimal. An understanding of medication-taking behaviour will assist health-care professionals to deliver appropriate and effective interventions to enhance adherence and optimise diabetes control in T2D patients.