Assessment of adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus using the MARS-5 questionnaire

Abstract

Medication adherence in patients with diabetes mellitus is essential for preventing disease-related complications and achieving optimal therapeutic outcomes through appropriate pharmacotherapy and patient counseling. The aim of this study was to assess the level of medication adherence among patients with diabetes mellitus during the provision of pharmaceutical care. A 30-day cross-sectional study was conducted in six community pharmacies of the AU “Lilly Drogerie” pharmacy chain using face-to-face interviews, using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), supplemented with open-ended questions tailored to patients receiving either oral antihyperglycemic or insulin therapy. Additional questions ad dressed appropriate medication use, glycemic control, blood pressure, lipid monitoring, dietary habits and diabetes-related compli cations. A total of 50 patients participated, including 25 receiving oral antihyperglycemic agents and 25 treated with insulin. Most participants were older than 65 years (64%), followed by those aged 40–60 years (32%) and 30–40 years (4%). The results showed that 14% of patients (7) occasionally forgot to take their medication, 20%(10) rarely forgot, while 66%(33) reported never forget ting their therapy. Dose modification without professional consultation was reported occasionally by 30% of patients (15), rarely by 14%(7), whereas 56%(28) never changed the prescribed dose.Half of the participants 50%(25) did not undergo regular HbA1c monitoring. Most patients regularly used a glucometer, recognized symptoms of hypo and hyperglycemia, were aware of chronic diabetes complications, monitored blood pressure and lipid levels, and followed recommended non-pharmacological measures. The results indicate a high degree of need for checking the degree of adherence and its improvement through pharmaceutical health care.