Iranian Journal of Rehabilitation Research in Nursing

Introduction: poor adherence to medication regimen in diabetic patients leads to poor control of blood glucose levels, high risk for diabetes complications, hospitalizations and increased mortality rates. An appropriate level of glycosylated hemoglobin is considered a good diabetic management in these patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent validity of Morisky Medication Adherence Scale with glycosylated hemoglobin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: In this methodologic descriptive correlational study, 204 patients referred to Kermanshah diabetes center were recruited through convenience sampling method since June to July 2014. Data were collected using socio-demographic form, Morisky Medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) and HbA1c test as gold standard. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent T-test, Pearson's Correlation, Fisher’s exact test, and Chi-Square using PASW (Predictive Analytics Software). Results: 33.4% of the participants were male and the rest were female. The mean age of participants was 57.1±9.6 years. 52% were illiterate. 129 patients (63.2%) had glycosylated hemoglobin's equal or less than 7% which is considered good diabetes management whereas based on Morisky medication adherence scale scores only 15 patients (7.4%) had a good medication regimen adherence. There was a significant relationship between adherence and gender. And more importantly and unexpectedly, there was no significant negative correlation between adherence scores with glycosylated hemoglobin levels (r=+0/37, p>0/05). Conclusion: Unexpectedly there is no statistically or clinically significant relationship between Morisky Medication Adherence Scale with glycosylated hemoglobin levels.