Adherence of Insulin Therapy in Diabetic Mellitus Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital
R. Ahalya
Saveetha Medical College & Hospitals, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-602 105, India.
Mahendra Kumar *
Department of General Medicine, Saveetha medical College & Hospitals, Saveetha Nagar, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu-602 105, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim and Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the adherence of Insulin therapy in Diabetic mellitus patients and to identify the factors leading to poor adherence of Insulin therapy among diabetic patients in a tertiary care hospital.
Methodology: A prospective study was carried out in the department of medicine in Saveetha medical college from January to June 2021.
50 diabetic patients were included in the study and their adherence to Insulin therapy was monitored and the patients with low adherence were assessed for the cause so that appropriate interventions can be taken to improve its adherence.
Results: The study enrolled about 50 patients out of which 23 of them had low Insulin adherence. The main reasons for low adherence were expense of Insulin(40%),lack of knowledge of administration(36%), and others factors include family problems, having faith over alternative medicines and fear of side effects.
Conclusion: Given the great prevalence of primary non-adherence and the variety of reasons for it, it is evident that these treatment barriers must be removed. Dedicated diabetes instructors at each diabetes clinic, as well as the availability of low-cost insulin and blood glucose monitoring devices for the disadvantaged, are essential to achieving this goal.
Keywords: Insulin, diabetes, non-adherence, barriers, medications