Evaluation of non-adherence to hipoglucemiary treatment in community pharmacy

Background: The treatment adherence in chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus is of vital importance. Noncompliance is directly implicated in the increase of the prescribed drugs number in chronic patients and is one of the most important causes of treatment failure.

Objectives: To evaluate in the community pharmacy the prevalence of non-adherence to treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus by completing the MMAS-8 questionnaire.

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study conducted in May and June 2018. Patients older than 45 years were selected, in treatment with hypoglycemic agents. Pharmacotherapeutic adherence was measured by administering the questionnaire (MMAS-8) according to the score obtained in the test and the perception they have of their treatment.

Results: 64 patients participated, 29 (45.3%) women and 35 (54.7) men. Women ware 65.5 years of age (SD = 15.3) and men 65.6 years (SD = 12.3). The mean score of the MMAS-8 test was 6.2±2.1, not finding significant differences between sexes. It was found that the number of patients with low adherence was 21 (32.8%), with medium adherence 19 (29.7%) and with high adherence 24 (37.5%). No relation was found between the percentage of adherence to treatment with sex, age, level of education and work condition. The belief that the treatment improves the disease and that the prescribed medications are adequate, increases adherence.

Conclusions: The MMAS-8 questionnaire has been shown as a quick and simple tool for evaluating the adherence of the treatment in the community pharmacy.