Pattern of medication adherence and its determinants among the patients with hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is one of the most common non-communicable diseases world-wide. In spite of having an economic therapy and simple medication schedule for the treatment of hypothyroidism, the patients still do not comply with the therapy. Aim was to assess the pattern of medication adherence among the patients with hypothyroidism. Materials and methods: Data were collected from 162 subjects through patient interviews and case records. Adherence to treatment was determined based on the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence questionnaire. A questionnaire with likely determinants of adherence was administered for all the patients and responses recorded. Results: The mean age of the subjects under the study was 39.6 years. Majority (93.2%) of the subjects were females. The average duration of hypothyroidism among the subjects was 5.73 years. The distribution showed a mean TSH level of12.94 mIU/L. The mean knowledge score of the population was found to be 10.69 out of the total score of 15. Among the 162 patients with hypothyroidism, 38.27% had high adherence, 43.83% had medium adherence and 29 patients had low adherence to levothyroxine. Age was the only socio-demographic variable that was found to be associated with adherence level. Serum TSH levels were found to be significantly elevated in patients with low adherence. Subjects in the high and medium adherence groups had significantly higher knowledge scores when compared to the subjects in low adherence group. Factors such as lifestyle, patient-doctor relationship and health care system related factors were found to be associated with the level of adherence. Conclusion: It was found that only 38.27% of the patients hadgood adherence to therapy. Along with the age and serum TSH values, knowledge regarding hypothyroidism and attitude towards therapy are important factors associated with adherence.