Work

The association between diabetes knowledge, treatment satisfaction and medication adherence among Malaysian geriatric patients

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background Medication adherence among geriatric diabetic patients is influenced by various factors, including diabetes knowledge and treatment satisfaction. Understanding these relationships is crucial for improving adherence and health outcomes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 diabetic patients aged 60 and above at outpatient clinics of a Malaysian teaching hospital. Interviews were conducted for each participant using a set of questionnaires that included a sociodemographic form, 20 questions from the simplified Diabetes Knowledge Test (DKT), 11 questions from the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM-II), and 12 questions from the Malaysia Medication Adherence Assessment Tool (MyMAAT). Results Participants demonstrated moderate diabetes knowledge [median = 6.67(6.00–7.78)] and high medication adherence [73%]. Diabetes knowledge was significantly associated with age [70–79 years: p = 0.012, above 80: p = 0.007], educational status [high school: p = 0.007, college/university: p < 0.001], and medication type [the presence of insulin in the regimen: p = 0.009]. A significant relationship was found between diabetes knowledge and treatment satisfaction [ p < .001] and medication adherence [ p = 0.004]. Each one-unit increase in diabetes knowledge was associated with a 34.2% decrease in the odds of nonadherence (OR = 0.658, 95% CI: 0.494–0.876, p = 0.004). Factors like gender [female: p = 0.014], occupational status [retired/ unemployed: p = 0.022], and type of diabetes medications [ p < .001] influenced treatment satisfaction, while education [high school: p = 0.004] and global satisfaction [ p = 0.009] affected adherence. Conclusions Geriatric diabetic patients demonstrated inadequate knowledge about diabetes, and this limited knowledge was significantly associated with lower treatment satisfaction and poorer medication adherence.

Source: Diabetology International

DOI: 10.1007/s13340-025-00860-8

Authors: Nur Syaqirah Natasha Mohamad Yusaini, Muhammad Eid Akkawi

Institution: International Islamic University Malaysia

Language: English

Topic: Medication Adherence and Compliance

Subfield: Family Practice

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590