Assessing the Medication Adherence of Metabolic Disorders in South India

Abstract

Aim: The study's main objective was to assess patients' adherence towards treatment and daily practices among Hypertension (HT), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) Type II and hypothyroid participants in South India before and after providing counseling and education based on WHO                      standards. Study Design: The present study is a prospective open-labeled observational study. Place and Duration of the Study: The present study was conducted in Vijayawada, South India for six months. Methodology: A total of 490 participants with Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) and Hypothyroidism were assessed for adherence based on the Morisky medication adherence scale containing 8 points at the starting of the study and 6 months after providing counseling and education. Results: At the initial point of study, only 12% of the Hypertensive group, 17% of Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) and 15% Hypothyroid group have high adherence. Towards the completion of the study, around 41% in the Hypertensive group, 50% of Diabetes Mellitus (Type II) and 60% Hypothyroid group had high adherence. Conclusion: The adherence was low at the initial point of the study among all the three groups. After counseling and education provided through the World Health Organization (WHO) specified criteria, we have seen a good increase in the adherence, measured with the MMAS-8 scale. Greater efforts should be made in educating and counseling the patients suffering from such chronic illnesses to improve their quality of life.