What is it about?

Therapy adherence to blood glucose lowering agents, antihypertensive drugs, and lipid-lowering drugs was determined using an innovative technique known as liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, which detects the presence of medication in a patient’s urine

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Why is it important?

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent illnesses in the Netherlands. Over a million Dutch people suffer from Type 2 diabetes, a disease often diagnosed in older age and is often complicated by cardiovascular disorders. Adherence to the medication is of great importance in preventing these disorders, as is maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Perspectives

Our research shows that Twente patients are extremely compliant in taking their medication for Type 2 diabetes. We found that the patients’ intake compliance with a variety of medications, including blood glucose lowering agents and antihypertensive drugs, was approximately 90% – a figure regarded as very high. The study also underlined the vital importance of the correct intake of medication, as the small group of patients who had difficulty maintaining adherence also suffered more cardiovascular problems. We know that people with Type 2 diabetes have trouble sticking to a healthy lifestyle. But their high adherence with drug therapy shows that they are clearly motivated to improve their health. Why is their therapy compliance so high? We think that the fact that Dutch pharmacies generally supply this medication automatically makes a significant contribution. The urine analysis enabled us to establish objectively that the medications they supplied were actually being taken.

Jelle Beernink
Ziekenhuisgroep Twente

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Biochemical Urine Testing of Medication Adherence and Its Association With Clinical Markers in an Outpatient Population of Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Analysis in the DIAbetes and LifEstyle Cohort Twente (DIALECT), Diabetes Care, April 2021, American Diabetes Association,
DOI: 10.2337/dc20-2533.
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