Medication Regimen Complexity and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes

Effect of Reducing Medication Regimen Complexity on Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes.

Polypharmacy is an alarming health issue that is defined as prescription of multiple medications, of which some are redundant or unnecessary. Due to comorbidities, diabetic patients are often prescribed multiple medications. Over prescribing occurs either due to, prescribing medications that are not indicated, continuation of certain medications beyond the time of indication, or prescribing more than one medication with the same effect. Improving glycaemic control is the cornerstone for the prevention and treatment of the diabetic complications.

Hypothesis In addition to the side effects and cost of the unnecessary medications, the investigators hypothesis is that poly-pharmacy will adversely affect patients' compliance with the necessary medications.The investigators propose that elimination of unnecessary medications might improve patients' compliance and consequently improve glycemic control diabetic patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

All diabetic patients who are eligible by fulfilling all of the following criteria:

1. HGBA1c ≥7 mg/dl.
2. 2) Poly-pharmacy: defined as the use of five or more medications.
3. Non- compliance: patients were surveyed with both direct and indirect methods to identify non adherence.

Exclusion Criteria:

Exclusion after recruitment Any patient whose diabetic medications regimen changed after recruitment due to hospitalisation, illness, stress or patients preference, will be excluded.