Adherence patterns to cardiovascular medications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study using group-based trajectory analysis in primary care
Authors' conclusion
This study highlights distinct long-term adherence patterns among individuals with T2DM, with over half showing non-persistent use over a five-year period, falling into either early discontinuation or gradual decline groups. These trajectories, while both clinically significant, likely reflect different underlying factors and underscore the need for tailored intervention strategies to support sustained treatment adherence.
Study context
- Population
- People diagnosed with T2DM on glucose-, lipid- and blood pressure-lowering medications, primary care data 2013–2023
- Exposure
- Persistent adherence vs Gradual decline vs Early discontinuation
- Outcome
- Medication adherence trajectories (≥1 prescription every six months)
- Follow-up
- 60 months
Methodological detailsprimary care data, group-based trajectory analysis, multinomial logistic regression
- Primary care data
- Group-based trajectory analysis
- Multinomial logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Adherence trajectories across all medication classes
| Group | Value | Adherence at 60 months | Adherence at 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persistent adherence | 40.6 %-44.3 % | 0.70-0.76 | |
| Gradual decline | 32.7 %-36.6 % | below 0.20 | ≈0.84 |
| Early discontinuation | 21.0 %-26.7 % |
Value
Persistent adherence40.6 %-44.3 %
Gradual decline32.7 %-36.6 %
Early discontinuation21.0 %-26.7 %
Adherence at 60 months
Persistent adherence0.70-0.76
Gradual declinebelow 0.20
Early discontinuation— not stated in the abstract
Adherence at 12 months
Persistent adherence— not stated in the abstract
Gradual decline≈0.84
Early discontinuation— not stated in the abstract
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of early discontinuation
- Male vs female sex (glucose-lowering), RRR
- 0.72 (95% CI 0.57-0.92)
- Metropolitan residence, RRR
- 1.38 (95% CI 1.07-1.78)
- Elevated LDL-C (lipid-lowering cohort), RRR
- 1.75 (95% CI 1.36-2.26)
Original publication
Adherence patterns to cardiovascular medications in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study using group-based trajectory analysis in primary care. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 6 August 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →