EVALUATING MEDICATION ADHERENCE BY MORISKY SCALE AND ADVISORY EFFECTION IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN HUE UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Introduction: Good glycemic control is the most important factor in treatment of diabetes. Medication adherence in diabetes is crucial to achieve optimal glycemic control. Objectives: To evaluate the medication adherence by the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the effectiveness of counseling in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The longitudinal descriptive study was conducted with 396 patients diagnosed of type 2 diabetes mellitus during 2019 - 2020 at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Interviewing patients with questionnaires, advising medication adherence (according o Treatment principles for diabetic patients - “Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes” of the Ministry of Health); and The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) was used to assess the patients’adherence of treatment at the beginning of the study and reevaluated after 3 months. Results: The mean age of the patients was 66.28 ± 14.08 years; 68.7% females. At baseline: 36.6% of patients were nonadherent. After 3 months, 26.3% of patients were non-adherent. Factors affecting the patients’ compliance level was statistically significant: Physical activity (p = 0.009); diet (p = 0.039); reminders of medication adherence from health officer (p = 0.042); satisfied with medical services (p = 0.022). At baseline: 19.2% of patients achieved good glycemic control (6.3 ± 0.8 mmol/l), 22.0% of patients with HbA1c reached target of treatment (6.4 ± 0.4%). After 3 months: 29.0% of patients achieved good glycemic control (6.1 ± 0.9 mmol/l), 33.3% of patients with HbA1c reached target of treatment (6.3 ± 0.4%). The proportion of patients achieved blood glucose and HbA1c targets at baseline and after 3 months was related statistically significant with medication adherence level (p<0.05). Conclusions: Relevant glycemic control was statistically significant with medication adherence. Improving patients’ medication adherence may improve glycemic control. In order to improve medication adherence better, good consultation counseling and health education are required. Key words: Type 2 diabetes, Medication adherence, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale