Journal of The Association of Physicians of India ■ Vol. 67 ■ April 2019 26 Self-reported Adherence to Medication among Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus attending a Tertiary Care Hospital of Delhi Anita Shankar Acharya 1 , Ekta Gupta 2* , Anupam Prakash 3 , Neha Singhal 4 Abstract Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming a potential epidemic in India with more than 62 million diagnosed diabetics and an increase of nearly 2 million per year. Poor adherence to medication regimens increases the probability of adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients. Therefore, improving medication adherence is a growing priority to control this epidemic. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the level of adherence to medication in Type II diabetic patients and to study the various factors affecting adherence to medication and the relationship between the severity of diabetes with the adherence categories. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at medicine outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital, New Delhi among 200 type 2 diabetic patients for duration of 2 months using a predesigned and pretested semi-structured interview schedule and diabetes medication adherence was assessed by Morisky’s medication adherence scale questionnaire. Results: Out of 200 participants, 32.5% were found to have high adherence while 34.5% and 33% had moderate and low adherence. Factors found to be associated with adherence were age, educational status, longer duration of disease and presence of glucometer. Almost four-fifths of the patients (79.5%) had poor plasma glucose control. Conclusion: There is a need to focus on improving adherence among type 2 diabetes patients and strengthening health care systems for regular supply of medicines and provide health education to the patients and their families emphasising the need of adherence to medications. 1 Professor (Community Medicine), Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi; 2 Assistant Professor (Community Medicine), ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Faridabad, Haryana; 3 Professor (General Medicine), 4 Intern, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Hospital, New Delhi; * Corresponding Author Received: 09.05.2018; Accepted: 06.10.2018 Introduction D iabetes mellitus (DM) is fast becoming a major global health problem as total number of people with diabetes is projected to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030. 1 By 2030, India’s diabetics’ population to maintain a good glycaemic control thereby reducing the micro and macro- vascular complications of Type 2 DM. 3 Non-adherence or non-compliance, poverty, lack of knowledge and poor follow ups are the main factors observed in poor glycaemic control. 4 Poor adherence to medication regimens increases the probability of adverse outcomes in type 2 diabetes patients. In order to address this growing concern about medication adherence, this study was conducted to determine the level of adherence to medication in Type II diabetics and to study various factors affecting adherence to medication and the relationship between the severity of diabetes with the adherence categories. Methods A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at the medicine outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi for duration of 2 months. The study subjects were diagnosed Type II diabetic patients on medication for one or more than one year (oral hypoglycaemic drugs/insulin) aged 18 years and is expected to cross the 100 million mark. 2 Aim of diabetes management is