Amir Jafarian-Amirkhizi1, Amir Sarayani2, Kheirollah Gholami2, Maryam Taghizadeh-Ghehi2, Kazem Heidari3, Aarefeh Jafarzadeh-Kohneloo3, Donald E Morisky4. 1. 1Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. 2Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 4th floor, No 92, Karimkhan Zand Ave., Hafte Tir Sq., Tehran, Iran. 3. 3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. 4Department of Community Health Sciences UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Appropriate pharmacotherapy, self-care and adherence to medications are crucial to diabetes control. We aimed to study the diabetes care and glycemic control in patients with type two diabetes living in an urban area of Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with type 2 diabetes who attended a referral university affiliated community pharmacy and an accredited pathobiology laboratory in the 17th district of Tehran were evaluated. Data including demographics, medical and drug history were collected. Self-care activity (Diabetes Self-care Activity Measurement Scale) and medication adherence (8-item Morisky Medication Adherence scale) were also assessed. After completing the questionnaires, the patients were referred to the laboratory for Hemoglobin A1c test. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight patients (60.3% females) were recruited. The mean (SD) of patients' age was 55.82 (12.72) and 75.3%of them were Illiterate or had primary education. Mean (SD) of Hemoglobin A1c levels was 8.39 (2.03) and 33% of patients had levels higher than 9%. Among study patients, 186 (53.4%) patients received monotherapy for diabetes type 2 and 200 (57.5%) patients had low adherence to medications. Physical activity, blood glucose self-monitoring and foot care were domains of self-care with the fewest practice. Re-using a pen or syringe needle more than once was reported by 83% of patients and mean (SD) time of re-using a pen needle was 9.11 (8.74). CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control, low medication adherence, inadequate self-care activities, signals of inappropriate pharmacotherapy and inadequate medical visits and monitoring in the study patients highlight the importance of providing accessible and affordable health care services in the region. Moreover, educational needs of the patients should be considered especially in an area in which the majority of patients are old and illiterate and have low socioeconomic status.
BACKGROUND: Appropriate pharmacotherapy, self-care and adherence to medications are crucial to diabetes control. We aimed to study the diabetes care and glycemic control in patients with type two diabetes living in an urban area of Iran. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients with type 2 diabetes who attended a referral university affiliated community pharmacy and an accredited pathobiology laboratory in the 17th district of Tehran were evaluated. Data including demographics, medical and drug history were collected. Self-care activity (Diabetes Self-care Activity Measurement Scale) and medication adherence (8-item Morisky Medication Adherence scale) were also assessed. After completing the questionnaires, the patients were referred to the laboratory for Hemoglobin A1c test. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-eight patients (60.3% females) were recruited. The mean (SD) of patients' age was 55.82 (12.72) and 75.3%of them were Illiterate or had primary education. Mean (SD) of Hemoglobin A1c levels was 8.39 (2.03) and 33% of patients had levels higher than 9%. Among study patients, 186 (53.4%) patients received monotherapy for diabetes type 2 and 200 (57.5%) patients had low adherence to medications. Physical activity, blood glucose self-monitoring and foot care were domains of self-care with the fewest practice. Re-using a pen or syringe needle more than once was reported by 83% of patients and mean (SD) time of re-using a pen needle was 9.11 (8.74). CONCLUSION: Poor glycemic control, low medication adherence, inadequate self-care activities, signals of inappropriate pharmacotherapy and inadequate medical visits and monitoring in the study patients highlight the importance of providing accessible and affordable health care services in the region. Moreover, educational needs of the patients should be considered especially in an area in which the majority of patients are old and illiterate and have low socioeconomic status.
Authors: Zahra Yekta; Reza Pourali; Mohammad Reza Aghassi; Nastaran Ashragh; Leila Ravanyar; Mohammad Yossef Rahim Pour Journal: J Res Health Sci Date: 2011-06-13