Relationship between Stages of Change and Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Primary Health-care Setting

INTRODUCTION: Advanced stages of change (SOC) are usually associated with lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) scores in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, these patients’ adherence to antidiabetic medications is crucial to achieve controlled HbA1c scores. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between SOC and HbA1c as well as between medication adherence and HbA1c in patients with T2DM in a primary health-care setting in Qatar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in patients with T2DM at the noncommunicable diseases clinics at Mesaimeer Healthcare Center and West Bay Health Care Center. Medication adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), whereas a two-item SOC questionnaire was used to measure the SOC. HbA1c values were obtained from the electronic database at the clinic. Spearman rank correlations were performed, with the significance level set at α < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 387 patients were included in the analysis. More than 75% of them reported that they were in the maintenance stage, and 35.4% of them had a controlled diabetes status. There was no significant correlation between SOC and HbA1c or between medication adherence and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: There was no relationship between SOC and HbA1c or between medication adherence and HbA1c in patients with T2DM, indicating that in this study, self-reported measures are not associated with the HbA1c scores of patients.