Effects of First Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus on Medical Visits and Medication Adherence in Korea

• Published in: Iranian journal of public health Vol. 47; no. 2; pp. 209 - 218
• Main Authors: Hyeongsu, Kim, Soon-Ae, Shin, Kunsei, Lee, Jong-Heon, Park, Tae Hwa, Han, Minsu, Park, Eunyoung, Minsu, Hyoseon, Jeong, Jung-Hyun, Lee, Hyemi, Ahn, Vitna, Kim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Tehran University of Medical Sciences 01-02-2018
• Subjects: Adhesion; Appropriate medical adherence; Diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Drugs; Health; Health care facilities; Health screening; Hypertension; Institutions; Insurance; Medical diagnosis; Medical screening; Medical visit; Medication adherence; Medication possession ratio; Original; Patient compliance; Pharmacology; Korea Strait; Health screening; Appropriate medical adherence; Medical visit; Diabetes mellitus; Medication possession ratio
• ISSN: 2251-6085; 2251-6093

The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) conducted a screening test to detect chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in Korea. This study evaluated the effects of health screening for DM on pharmacological treatment.
The data from qualification and the General Health Screening in 2012, the insurance claims of medical institutions from Jan 2009 to Dec 2014, and the diabetic case management program extracted from the NHIS administrative system were used. Total 16068 subjects were included. Visiting rate to medical institution, medication possession ratio and the rate of medication adherence of study subjects were used as the indices.
The visiting rates to medical institutions were 39.7%. The percentage who received a prescription for a diabetes mellitus medication from a doctor was 80.9%, the medication possession ratio was 70.8%, and the rate of medication adherence was 57.8%.
The visiting rate, medication possession ratio and rate of medication adherence for DM medication were not high. In order to increase the visiting rate, medication possession ratio and rate of medication adherence, NHIS should support environment in which medical institutions and DM patients can do the role of each part.