Strategies for Improved Treatment Adherence in Type 2 Diabetes

Why is it so difficult for many adult patients to stick with their diabetes regimens?

Imagine having to follow a complex set of instructions involving diet, exercise, frequent medical examinations, regular examinations of the eyes and feet, and, for many, multiple daily medications or insulin injections. And until there is a cure for diabetes, these behaviors must be sustained for a lifetime. This is complicated by the high prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidity among adults with diabetes, which may require additional medical management alongside treatment of the diabetes. For those unfortunate enough to develop the vascular complications of diabetes, still more demands of self-management are imposed. Is it any wonder that adherence is often compromised?

While nonadherence is probably the most frustrating component of diabetes management, it's not isolated just to diabetes. At least half of the patients who are prescribed long-term medication for chronic conditions do not fully adhere to their treatment plan. While some patients are deliberately nonadherent, others are unintentionally influenced by a number of external factors that impair their adherence to diet, activity, medication and self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

Successful outcomes require an alliance between patients, their diabetes specialists, and their primary care providers. A successful patient-provider collaboration includes a respect for the autonomy and the issues of people who live with diabetes along with educational, clinical, and emotional supports to manage the condition.

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Source: MedPage Today