Diabetes is a common chronic disorder that can result in hyperglycemia and long-term complications. Evidence suggests that patients who are more knowledgeable about diabetes self-care are more likely to achieve better glycemic control. McPherson and coworkers wished to determine the relationship between patients' knowledge about their diabetes medications and their blood glucose control. Patients receiving oral pharmacologic treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus were asked to answer a short questionnaire assessing their knowledge about their medications. They were part of an ambulatory care practice in Baltimore, Maryland, that provides primary care medical services to an inner-city, predominantly African American population. A medication knowledge score (number of correct responses to 8 components) was tabulated and correlated to the most recent glycosylated hemoglobin (A1c) drawn within the previous 90 days. Multivariate models were constructed, with A1c as the outcome and patients' medication knowledge as the independent variable. Potential confounders included in the models were age, sex, education level, number of diabetes medications, and insurance status. Fifty patients were screened for the study; 44 agreed to participate and met inclusion criteria. Patients' diabetes medication knowledge scores ranged between 1 and 7, with a median score of 5. Older patients (65 years and older) and male patients scored lower than their counterparts. There was a strong inverse association between knowledge score and A1c. Glycosylated hemoglobin was one-half unit lower with each one-unit increase in knowledge score among men; among women A1c was 1.6 units lower for each one-unit increase in knowledge score.

WHAT THE STUDY MAY MEAN TO YOU: Patients with greater understanding and knowledge of their diabetes medications demonstrated better glycemic control. The cross-sectional association of medication knowledge and A1c was more pronounced in women than in men. The investigators likely tailored their program to fit the needs of the population they had, which likely contributed to the overall success of the program.
The results, however, are limited because of the small number of subjects taking part in the study.

ML McPherson et al. Association between diabetes patients' knowledge about medications and their blood glucose control. Research in Social Administation & Pharmacology, 2008;4:37-45.