Abstract
BACKGROUND: An antidiabetic medication regimen is crucial for maintaining glycemic control. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cognitive dysfunction have a bidirectional relationship. This study aims to explore the impact that adjusting antidiabetic medication regimens has on medication adherence, glycemic control, and cognitive function in patients with T2DM and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: This is an observational cross-sectional analysis that includes 364 consecutive inpatients with T2DM. Clinical data were collected, medication adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), and cognitive status was evaluated using the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE). These data were obtained both during hospitalization and at a three-month follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to determine the association between changes in medication regimens and medication adherence, glycemic control, and cognitive function. RESULTS: Baseline medication adherence was high across all three different cognitive status groups, with no significant difference in MARS-5 scores. At the 3-month follow-up, the group with a high adjustment ratio of antidiabetic medication regimens showed an increase in their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level compared to the baseline, while the group with a low adjustment ratio showed a decrease in this level. In addition, the MoCA, MMSE, and MARS-5 scores of the high-adjustment group were significantly lower than those of the low-adjustment group. CONCLUSIONS: A high ratio of medication adjustment was significantly associated with worse medication adherence and glycemic control in T2DM patients with MCI. Patients with a low ratio of medication adjustment had good adherence and better glycemic control. Clinicians should take cognitive status into account when adjusting antidiabetic regimens for T2DM patients and may need to provide additional guidance to patients with cognitive impairment to improve adherence and glycemic outcomes.