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Comparing the Effects of Diabetes-Specific and Overall Medication Regimen Complexity on Diabetes Distress
Teo Kaye Min1, Ryan J Shaw2, Anastasia-Stefania Alexopoulos3,4
1Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.
High medication regimen complexity in type 2 diabetes patients was linked to lower regimen-related diabetes distress, but not overall diabetes distress. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Psychology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes management involves complex medication regimens.
- Diabetes distress significantly impacts patient well-being and treatment adherence.
- Understanding the relationship between medication complexity and distress is crucial for effective patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between medication regimen complexity (diabetes-specific and overall) and diabetes distress in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- To explore how medication regimen complexity influences the patient's experience of diabetes distress.
Main Methods:
- A study of 220 adults with type 2 diabetes and hypertension with elevated A1C.
- Medication regimen complexity was assessed using the validated Medication Regimen Complexity Index.
- Multiple regression models analyzed the link between regimen complexity and diabetes distress scores, controlling for covariates.
Main Results:
- The study included 64% women, 68% Black, with a mean age of 54.5 and mean A1C of 9.8%.
- A significant negative association was found between overall medication regimen complexity and regimen-related diabetes distress.
- No significant associations were identified between diabetes-specific or overall medication regimen complexity and overall diabetes distress.
Conclusions:
- Higher overall medication regimen complexity correlated with reduced regimen-related diabetes distress.
- Further research with adequate statistical power is necessary to fully elucidate the relationship between medication regimen complexity and diabetes distress.
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