Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Nov 29:17:3107-3118.
doi: 10.2147/PPA.S437013. eCollection 2023.

Medication Adherence and Its Associated Determinants in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Comorbidities

Ahmad Al-Azayzih  1 , Roaa J Kanaan  1 , Shoroq M Altawalbeh  1 , Walid Al-Qerem  2 , Saja Smadi  1
Affiliations

Medication Adherence and Its Associated Determinants in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Comorbidities

Ahmad Al-Azayzih et al. Patient Prefer Adherence. .

Abstract

Aims of the study: To evaluate medication adherence level and identify predictors of poor medication adherence in elderly patients with Cardiovascular (CVS) diseases and type 2 diabetes in Jordan.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on elderly patients who attended King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH) outpatient diabetes and cardiology clinics from March 6, 2023, to July 6, 2023. Data on age, sex, socio-demographics, biological variables, medication characteristics, and chronic comorbidities were obtained from electronic patients' medical records and a validated questionnaire. Medication adherence levels (low, moderate, and high) were assessed using the Arabic version of the 4-item Morisky, Green, and Levine Medication Adherence Scale-Medication Assessment Questionnaire.

Results: Data from 506 elderly patients were analyzed. The average age of the participants was 67.93 years (SD = 6.22). 7.9% of patients showed low adherence levels, 33.6% showed moderate adherence level, and 58.5% of patients showed a high level of adherence toward their prescribed medications. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis revealed that single/currently unmarried patients and patients who were living with others were more likely to have a higher adherence level; Odd Ratios (ORs) were 4.75 and 4.10, respectively. Patients who took their medications ≥ 3 and 2 times a day showed higher adherence to their medications than those who only took them once a day.; ORs were 2.15 and 2.36, respectively.

Conclusion: This study indicated an inadequate level of adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular comorbidities. This study revealed the necessity of implementing programs to help in raising the awareness among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes and CVDs of the importance of adherence to prescribed long-term medication regimens.

Keywords: Jordan; cardiovascular diseases; diabetes; elderly; geriatrics; medication adherence.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

References

    1. Marengoni A, Angleman S, Meinow B, et al. Coexisting chronic conditions in the older population: variation by health indicators. Eur J Intern Med. 2016;31:29–34. PMID: 26944564. doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2016.02.014 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Arnett DK, Goodman RA, Halperin JL, Anderson JL, Parekh AK, Zoghbi WA. AHA/ACC/HHS strategies to enhance application of clinical practice guidelines in patients with cardiovascular disease and comorbid conditions: from the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(17):1851–1856. PMID: 25219921. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2014.07.012 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Aidoud A, Gana W, Poitau F, et al. High prevalence of geriatric conditions among older adults with cardiovascular disease. J Am Heart Assoc. 2023;12(2):e026850. PMID: 36628962; PMCID: PMCPMC9939057. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.122.026850 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Magnuson A, Sattar S, Nightingale G, Saracino R, Skonecki E, Trevino KM. A practical guide to geriatric syndromes in older adults with cancer: a focus on falls, cognition, polypharmacy, and depression. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2019;39:e96–e109. PMID: 31099668. doi: 10.1200/EDBK_237641 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Yang YC, Lin MH, Wang CS, et al. Geriatric syndromes and quality of life in older adults with diabetes. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2019;19(6):518–524. PMID: 30957935. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13654 - DOI - PubMed