Psychosocial Factors Associated With Medication Burden Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Previous research has focused largely on sociodemographic, clinical, and medication-use characteristics, overlooking the critical role psychosocial factors may play in influencing the medication-related burden among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the psychosocial factors associated with medication burden among patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 261 patients with Type 2 diabetes from four community health stations in Can Tho, Vietnam. Linear regression models were used to identify demographic and health factors, as well as psychosocial factors, including medication self-efficacy, medication social support, satisfaction with medication treatments, depression, and medication beliefs that are related to medication burden. Results: The presence of dyslipidemia (beta = 0.15, p = 0.002) and depression (beta = 0.21, p < 0.001) and a stronger belief in the necessity of medication (beta = 0.41, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with increased medication-related burden. Conversely, higher education (beta = -0.16, p = 0.002), a greater number of family members (beta = -0.25, p < 0.001), and higher medication self-efficacy (beta = -0.21, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a reduction in medication-related burden. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors were found to be associated with medication burden among patients with Type 2 diabetes. These findings highlight the importance of psychosocial factors in managing medication burden. Future interventions should focus on these factors to reduce the medication burden and improve the quality of life for patients with Type 2 diabetes.