Assessment of comorbidity burden and medication adherence in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the connection between comorbidity burden, medication adherence, and quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. It was carried out with patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who visited Manisa Celal Bayar University Hafsa Sultan Hospital and selected Family Health Centers in Manisa province. Data were collected using the Sociodemographic Data Form, Weighted Functional Comorbidity Index (WFCI), Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS), and the SF-12 Quality of Life Scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS (version 15.0). Results: A total of 201 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 58.99±11.09 years, with 103 participants (51.2%) aged ≥60 years. The mean score of the Weighted Functional Comorbidity Index was 5.38 (SD: 2.96), the mean Medication Adherence Report Scale score was 4.48 (SD: 0.63), and the mean scores of the SF-12 Physical Component Summary (FBS-12) and Mental Component Summary (MBS-12) were 44.45 (SD: 11.94) and 49.73 (SD: 12.59), respectively. Being aged ≥60 years, female gender, obesity, low income and education levels, and low physical activity were associated with higher comorbidity burdens. Patients using multiple oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) or combined OAD and insulin therapy had higher medication adherence scores. A negative and weak to very weak significant correlation was observed between the Weighted Functional Comorbidity Index and FBS-12, MBS-12, and medication adherence scores. As FBS-12, MBS-12, and medication adherence scores increased, the comorbidity index decreased. Conclusion: It was found that comorbidity burden increases with age in diabetic patients. Additionally, a higher comorbidity burden was linked to lower medication adherence. Furthermore, increased comorbidity burden negatively impacts both physical and mental aspects of quality of life. Overall, this study highlights the importance of a holistic approach in the assessment and management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, comorbidity, medication adherence, quality of life