Importance of medication adherence for better quality of life in diabetes patients

Abstract

Long-term and frequently lifetime medication use that is consistent, uninterrupted, timely, and with no or few missed doses is necessary to improve patient survival and quality of life in chronic conditions. Enhancing therapeutic adherence is a complex issue that calls for the strategic use of technology advancements as well as the concerted efforts of medical experts. By offering medication advice and making sure patients know how to take their prescriptions correctly, pharmacists play a vital role. It has been demonstrated that pharmacist-led interventions, including drug therapy management services, greatly increase adherence, especially in patients with long-term illnesses. Both patient adherence to their treatment plan and the quality of health services are factors that affect the success of medical treatment. Though its relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is not well understood, proper adherence to anti-diabetic medication is a significant protective factor for reducing diabetes-related complications and disability. Better glycemic control and better health outcomes can result from diabetes management applications that monitor blood sugar levels and medication usage. Healthcare professionals can greatly increase adherence and improve patients’ HRQoL by streamlining the regimen, such as by giving once-daily drugs or combination therapy. Simpler regimens result in better disease control and less disturbances to everyday life for patients, who also report greater satisfaction and less stress from their therapies. Among diabetic patients who visit primary care clinics, medication adherence is an independent predictor of quality of life. Compared to non-adherent patients, adherent patients are probably going to have a higher quality of life and better general health.