DEPRESSION AND MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG ALDER ADULTS WITH SELECTED CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA

Older adults constitute a rapidly growing population whose healthcare needs are unique, with a higher prevalence of physical and psychiatric morbidities. A knowledge gap exists regarding the association of chronic medical conditions with Depression and how they affect medication adherence. This may be linked to their chronic nature and impacts on the mood of older adults. This study assessed Depression among older adults with Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, and Arthritis; and compared its relationship with medication adherence in the speciality clinics of UMTH, Maiduguri.

A comparative cross-sectional analytic study was employed to recruit 327 older adults aged≥60years for six months. They were proportionally distributed into groups of Hypertension only (140), Diabetes only (85), Arthritis only (43), hypertension and diabetes (59). The socio- clinical proforma, Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), and Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were administered. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0. The mean adherence scores for those with depression were compared with the mean scores of those without depression using a t-test.

The study found that the mean medication adherence score was lower in those with depression than those without depression. The difference is significant among the group with arthritis only (t = 1.943 and p-value = 0.049) where those with depression had an adherence score (2.299 ± 0.500) while those without depression scored (3.177 ± 1.267); and also, among the group with HTN + DM (t = 2.769, p-value = 0.006) where those with depression had an adherence score (2.000 ± 0.001) while those without depression scored (4.299 ±2.026).

Depression is associated with low medication adherence in older adults with chronic medical conditions. This underscores the need for consultation-liaison practice and proactivity in assessing for depression in older adults with chronic conditions to improve their adherence.