ADA: Newly Diagnosed Less Likely to Adhere to Diabetes Medications

Non-adherence to diabetes medication is more likely to occur among young adults, women, those who use retail pharmacies and those who are new to diabetes therapies….

The study found that newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients are less likely to follow their medication regimen than those with longer-standing disease, and those who take more pills are more likely to be adherent than those on fewer medications.

Ronald E. Aubert, PhD, MSPH, adjunct associate professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, said during an oral session that, "Lack of adherence is a major barrier to achieving treatment goals for individuals with chronic health conditions. Medication nonadherence is associated with poor outcomes, including hospitalization and mortality. Previous studies have shown that 50% of individuals prescribed a new medication for diabetes, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia do not continue the drug for even a year."

In the retrospective analysis of a pharmaceutical claims database that included approximately 2.6 million patients, Aubert and colleagues examined patient medication and prescriber factors linked to non-adherence. The patients filled at least one index claim (the first prescription filled within a targeting period) for a non-insulin diabetes medication between July 2010 and December 2010, according to his presentation.

Aubert and colleagues selected a random sample of 300,755 patients (20%) aged >20 years with at least two claims for a diabetes medication. Patients were followed for 12 months following the first claim.

According to data, 24% of patients were nonadherent to their diabetes medication. Patients who were not compliant were most likely to be women, younger in age (20 to 44 years), used a retail pharmacy, and had a lower daily pill burden. However, no significant findings could be determined based on income or education status.

Practice Pearl:

• These findings suggest a need for interventions to prevent patients from being nonadherent to their prescribed medication.
• Men tended to be more adherent compared with women and people who had a higher pill burden seemed to be more adherent rather than those with a lower pill burden.

Aubert RE. #209-OR. Presented at: ADA Scientific Sessions; June 21-25, 2013; Chicago.