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A systematic review and meta-analysis of non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication: Evidence from low‐ and middle‐income countries
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  • Md Azharuddin,
  • Mohammad Adil,
  • Manju Sharma,
  • Bishal Gyawali
Md Azharuddin
School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard

Corresponding Author:azharuddin.jh@gmail.com

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Mohammad Adil
School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard
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Manju Sharma
Jamia Hamdard
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Bishal Gyawali
Global Health Section, University of Copenhagen
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Abstract

Objective: There is lack of evidence on the burden of and factors associated with non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication among individuals living with diabetes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analytic synthesis to estimate non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication reported among adults in LMICs and to explore factors affecting non-adherence. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE and Embase to identify studies investigating non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications published between January 2000 and May 2020. Cross-sectional studies that had been conducted among individuals with diabetes in LMICs were eligible for the selection process. Critical appraisal of the included studies was carried out using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was carried out using Stata 14.2. Random effects model was used to compute the pooled proportion at 95% confidence interval. Results: Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 studies were used in meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was 43.4% (95% CI: 17.5–69.4; p=0.000) and 29.1% (95% CI: 19.8–38.4; p=0.000) when using the cut-off at 80 or 90%. The pooled proportion of non-adherence was 29.5% (95% CI: 25.5–33.5; p=0.098) when using the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. The factors for non-adherence based on World Health Organization demonstrated considerable variation of non-adherence to ant-diabetic medication in LMICs depending on the methods used to estimate non-adherence. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a significantly higher proportion of medication non-adherence among individuals with diabetes in LMIC settings when MMAS-8 item scale was used and low when 80-90% cut-off scales were used. Various factors, such as disease factors, therapy-related factors, healthcare system factor, patient-centered factors, and social and economic factors contributed to non-adherence. Therefore, comprehensive multifaceted strategies are urgently needed to address factors associated with anti-diabetic medication non-adherence.
31 Dec 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
31 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
31 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
05 Feb 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
18 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Apr 20211st Revision Received
19 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
19 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
01 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
07 Aug 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Aug 2021Editorial Decision: Accept