Table 5 Univariate analysis of possible factors affecting metformin adherence
From: Adherence to metformin in adults with type 2 diabetes: a combined method approach
Variable | Adherent | Non-adherent | P value* |
|---|---|---|---|
n = 74 (61.2%) | n = 47 (38.8%) | ||
Duration of diabetes | Â | Â | Â |
 Mean years ± SD | 14.7 ± 6.7 | 14.7 ± 6.0 | 0.989 |
Age | Â | Â | Â |
 Mean years ± SD | 65.6 ± 8.6 | 66.5 ± 11.2 | 0.678 |
Sex | Â | Â | Â |
 Female [n (%)] | 23 (60.5) | 15 (39.5) | 1.000 |
 Male [n (%)] | 51 (61.4) | 32 (38.6) |  |
Presence of comorbidities | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 72 (60.5) | 47 (39.5) | 0.521 |
 No [n (%)] | 2 (100) | 0 (0.0) |  |
Metformin formulation | Â | Â | Â |
 Immediate release [n (%)] | 43 (58.9) | 30 (41.1) | 0.663 |
 Sustained release [n (%)] | 31 (64.6) | 17 (35.4) |  |
Frequency of metformin | Â | Â | Â |
 Once daily [n (%)] | 17 (70.8) | 7 (29.2) | 0.394 |
 More than once daily [n (%)] | 57 (58.8) | 40 (41.2) |  |
Number of metformin tablets daily | Â | Â | Â |
 1–2 tablets [n (%)] | 24 (54.5) | 20 (45.5) | 0.350 |
 ≥ 3 tablets [n (%)] | 50 (64.9) | 27 (35.1) |  |
Number of prescribed medicines | Â | Â | Â |
 Mean ± SD | 10.8 ± 4.4 | 10.9 ± 4.3 | 0.847 |
Metformin self-administration | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 72 (64.3) | 40 (35.7) | 0.027 |
 No [n (%)] | 2 (22.2) | 7 (77.8) |  |
Living alone independently | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 16 (57.1) | 12 (42.9) | 0.783 |
 No [n (%)] | 58 (62.4) | 35 (37.6) |  |
Purchased adherence pill box | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 44 (72.1) | 17 (27.9) | 0.021 |
 No [n (%)] | 30 (50.0) | 30 (50.0) |  |
Pharmacy adherence packs | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 9 (47.4) | 10 (52.6) | 0.277 |
 No [n (%)] | 65 (63.7) | 37 (36.3) |  |
Reminder in mobile phone | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 3 (100.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0.281 |
 No [n (%)] | 71 (60.2) | 47 (39.8) |  |
Ability to read metformin label | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 68 (61.3) | 43 (38.7) | 1.000 |
 No [n (%)] | 6 (60.0) | 4 (40.0) |  |
Ability to get metformin out of packaging | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 69 (61.6) | 43 (38.4) | 0.734 |
 No [n (%)] | 5 (55.6) | 4 (44.4) |  |
Problems taking metformin | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes [n (%)] | 4 (100.0) | 0 (0.0) | 0.156 |
 No [n (%)] | 70 (59.8) | 47 (40.2) |  |
Presence of side effect | Â | Â | Â |
 Yes | 11 (64.7) | 6 (35.3) | 0.956 |
 No | 63 (60.6) | 41 (39.4) |  |
BMQ | Â | Â | Â |
 Necessity: mean score ± SD | 17.8 ± 3.4 | 17.6 ± 3.5 | 0.786 |
 Concern: mean score ± SD | 13.5 ± 3.6 | 13.3 ± 3.7 | 0.742 |
 Necessity-concern differential: mean score ± SD | 4.3 ± 4.1 | 4.3 ± 4.1 | 0.949 |
CES-D | Â | Â | Â |
 Median score of CES-D [IQR] | 11.0 [5.0–19.25] | 11.0 [5.0–17.0] | 0.785 |