Adherence to treatment for diabetes and relation with kidney function and lifestyle

This study evaluated adherence to treatment for diabetes and the relationship with kidney function and lifestyle. It is a descriptive study, carried out with 270 elderly people, with questionnaires during home visits. The mean age was 63.6±1.7 years, 62.6% female, 71.9% married, 76.3% hypertensive, 68.1% sedentary, 12.2% smokers, 69.3% report having healthy eating, 74.1% have incomplete elementary education. The average filtration rate was 70.8±23.6 ml/min. Glomerular filtration rate was lower in women and in the elderly over 60 years, but had no relation to adherence to treatment. Forty people (14.8%) were adherent to the drug treatment for diabetes and 230 (85.2%) not adherent. There was no significant association between adherence and sex, as well as regarding age, marital status, income, schooling and some health habits, such as having healthy eating, exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption. People who use multiple doses of medication and who omitted information about medications were the least adherent. Lifestyle was considered good for 69.3% and very good for 25.9% of diabetics. The importance of multiprofessional care in the care of diabetics, which is essential to improve adherence and reduce the risks of complications such as diabetic nephropathy, is important.