What do patients with diabetes know about their tablets?

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology and Diabetes Management
• Pharmacology and Therapeutics
• Patient Education and Adherence

Background:

• Oral hypoglycaemic agents are cornerstone therapies for Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Effective management relies on patient and healthcare professional understanding of these medications.
• Gaps in knowledge can lead to suboptimal treatment outcomes and adherence issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient and non-specialist healthcare professional knowledge regarding oral hypoglycaemic agents.
• To identify specific areas of misunderstanding concerning medication mechanisms, usage, and side effects.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous questionnaire was administered to 261 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 102 healthcare professionals across two centers.
• Data collected included patient demographics, medication details, and knowledge assessment on oral hypoglycaemic agents.

Main Results:

• A significant deficit in patient knowledge was observed regarding medication mechanisms (15%), correct usage relative to food (62%), and potential side effects like hypoglycaemia (10% for sulphonylureas) and gastrointestinal issues (20% for metformin).
• Medication adherence was suboptimal, with 20% of patients forgetting doses and 5% omitting them due to hyperglycaemia concerns.
• Healthcare professionals also demonstrated knowledge gaps, particularly concerning dosage timing and mechanisms of action for specific drugs like metformin and acarbose.
• Patient recall of medication advice was low (35%), with minimal written information provided (1%).

Conclusions:

• Both patients and healthcare professionals exhibit poor understanding of oral hypoglycaemic agents.
• Enhanced patient education and clear prescribing advice are essential to improve comprehension and medication compliance.
• Community pharmacists are well-positioned to reinforce medication information and support patients.