Adherence and Beliefs About Medications, and Illness Perception Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Assiut Main Hospital

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered one of the oldest fast-growing public health problems. It's a chronic metabolic disorder characterized mainly by high level of glucose level, associated globally with increased morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries [1].

DM leads to serious problems in heart, blood vessels, kidney and nerves. The World Health Organization (WHO) had anticipated that DM is going to become the seventh most significant primary cause of death worldwide by the year 2030 [2].

Main types of DM include type1 DM where the body stops making insulin, and type 2 DM which is more common, usually in adults when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't make enough insulin [3].

Currently, 463 million persons suffer from diabetes worldwide. In addition, 55 million in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region suffer from diabetes, and it is estimated that by 2045 this will rise to 108 million according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) [4] Egypt is considered the ninth leading country in the world for the number of type 2 diabetes patients and its prevalence was nearly tripled over the last 2 decades, reaching 15.2% as nearly 8 million of adults suffer from type 2 DM, expecting to be doubled by 2045, urging the global community to recognize DM as one of the most important health challenges of the twenty first century [4].

Hence comes the importance of self-management in patients with type 2 DM in reducing complications from the disease and improving overall health outcomes. These important self-management behaviors include taking medications regularly, healthy diet, doing physical activities, quitting smoking, foot care and self-monitoring blood glucose level [5].

Adherence of patients with type 2 DM to medication is associated with better balanced glycemic control (HbA1c <7%), thus helping in reduction of microvascular and macrovascular complications [6].

Adherence to medication is mainly influenced by several factors such as demographic, socioeconomic, cultural, health system related factors, educational and personal factors such as patient's age, complexity of medication, side effects, cost, availability, accessibility and whether they're receiving emotional and social support from their families [7].

Mental representation of DM affect patients' coping behavior. Many patients lack the understanding of type 2 DM. Perception of the disease is important, it's not just about taking the prescribed medication, it's about the extent to which the patient follows medical instructions [8].

Studies have showed that illness perception and beliefs about medication by type 2 DM patients is commonly linked with their adherence to medication and in return better glycemic control [9].

Perception is about everything regarding the illness such as illness identity, time line of the disease, consequences, comorbid conditions, number of hospital admission, whether it can be controlled or not, and emotional response to being diabetic [10]. Beliefs in self-control and self-management over health will affect adherence to treatment regimens and glycemic control [9].

Perception about illness shapes self-management behavior. If patients have strong perception about treatment plan and regimen with personal control, it'll lead to lower level of HbA1c and better health outcome [10].

Patients' beliefs about medication are mainly about the necessity of taking the prescribed medication to maintain their health now and in the future, and concerns about the possible negative effects of taking the medication such as addiction or long-term adverse effects from regular use. Some patients believe that medication helps them, while others believe that multiple harmful effects of the treatment may outweigh any positive outcomes. Some of the patients who have strong opinions about their medication avoid taking it or, conversely, abuse it [11].

Patients who are convinced that a specific medication is essential for their health are much more likely to adhere to the treatment than those who do not hold such a belief [12].

We hypothesize that some factors associated with non-adherence to medication can be investigated so that interventions can be implemented to increase adherence to medication, helping in achieving better glycemic control and better health outcomes and reducing complications.

As data concerning diabetic patients' adherence are deficient in upper Egypt, this study will help in filling the gap on illness perception and beliefs about medication, which in turn affects patients' adherence to medication and thus better glycemic control in type 2 DM.