Medication Adherence and Quality of Life Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Cross-Sectional, Observational Study in an Eastern India Set Up

Objective: This study aimed to assess medication adherence and its association with quality of life (QoL) in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 374 T2D patients aged 18–75 years, receiving treatment for at least six months. Medication adherence was evaluated using the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), and QoL was assessed using the WHO-QoL-BREF instrument. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression to identify predictors of adherence and QoL. Results: The study reports a mean age of 55.69 years, with a male preponderance (59.89%). Sixty-one per cent exhibited low adherence scores (MARS 0–5), with a mean adherence score of 6.98. Higher adherence was significantly associated with improved fasting plasma glucose and postprandial glucose levels, although HbA1c levels were similar across adherence groups. QoL scores were highest in the physical, psychological, and social domains for patients with better adherence. Multiple regression analysis identified adherence as an independent predictor of QoL (p < 0.05) after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Conclusions: This study highlights the critical link between medication adherence and improved QoL in T2D patients. Interventions targeting adherence barriers, particularly in rural populations, can enhance glycemic outcomes and QoL, underscoring the importance of patient-centered strategies in diabetes care.