AUTHOR=Hogervorst Stijn , Adriaanse Marce C. , Hugtenburg Jacqueline G. , Bot Mariska , Speight Jane , Pouwer Frans , Nefs Giesje TITLE=Medication Intake, Perceived Barriers, and Their Correlates Among Adults With Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Results From Diabetes MILES – The Netherlands JOURNAL=Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare VOLUME=2 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/clinical-diabetes-and-healthcare/articles/10.3389/fcdhc.2021.645609 DOI=10.3389/fcdhc.2021.645609 ISSN=2673-6616 ABSTRACT=Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate medication intake, perceived barriers and their correlates in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 3,383 Dutch adults with diabetes (42% type 1; 58% type 2) completed the 12-item ‘Adherence Starts with Knowledge’ questionnaire (ASK-12; total score range: 12-60) and reported socio-demographics, clinical and psychological characteristics and health behaviors. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used.

Results

Adults with type 1 diabetes had a slightly lower mean ASK-12 score (i.e. more optimal medication intake and fewer perceived barriers) than adults with non-insulin-treated type 2 diabetes. After adjustment for covariates, correlates with suboptimal intake and barriers were fewer severe hypoglycemic events and more depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress. In type 2 diabetes, correlates were longer diabetes duration, more depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress.

Conclusions

Adults with type 1 diabetes showed slightly more optimal medication intake and fewer perceived barriers than adults with non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes. Correlates differed only slightly between diabetes types. The strong association with depressive symptoms and diabetes-specific distress in both diabetes types warrants attention, as improving these outcomes in some people with diabetes might indirectly improve medication intake.