A Cross-Sectional Study On “Nonadherence To Medication, Self-Care Practices And Health-Related Quality Of Life Of Type-2 Diabetic Patients Visiting To Tertiary Care Hospital Of Vadodara, Gujarat”

Background: India has the second-highest number of diabetics globally, with over 74.2 million individuals diagnosed in 2021. This number is projected to rise to 124.9 million by 2045, according to the International Diabetes Federation (2021). Aim: To determine the association between nonadherence to self-care practices, medication, and health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) among type-2 diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the Medicine Outpatient Department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat. The study included 164 type-2 diabetic patients aged 30–60, interviewed between September and October 2021 using a pre-designed schedule based on the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Nonadherence rates were assessed for self-care practices such as diet care, exercise, foot care, and medication. Data analysis was performed using Chi-squared tests to explore relationships between variables and ordinal logistic regression in Jamovi software to assess significant associations. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Nonadherence rates were highest for foot care (56%), followed by exercise (26.8%), diet care (19.5%), and medication (12.8%). Significant associations were found between nonadherence to all self-care practices and issues in mobility and self-care (p<0.05). Nonadherence to exercise and medication was associated with problems in usual activities (p<0.05). Pain/discomfort issues were linked to nonadherence to diet care, exercise, and foot care (p<0.05), while anxiety was associated with nonadherence to diet care, exercise, and medication (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study identified varying nonadherence rates to self-care practices among type-2 diabetic patients, significantly impacting their HR-QoL and contributing to a poorer quality of life.