Objective:

To evaluate the relationship between cognitive health and adherence to pharmacological treatment in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus from a Community Health Center of the Province of Ñuble, Chile.

Method:

Cross-sectional analytical study, the sample consisted of 62 older adults with diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Data collection was performed through home visits using the Minimental State Examination (MMSE) instruments, Morisky Green Levine Test and a record of general data. The data were processed in the SPSS program, using descriptive and analytical statistics. The study was approved by the Bioethics committee.

Results:

Adherence to pharmacological treatment was 51.6% (n=32), and 83.9% (n=52) was found without cognitive impairment. Of the non-adherent older adults to the pharmacological treatment, 46.7% (n=14) had a level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 7% or more. A relationship was found between cognitive health and adherence to pharmacological treatment (p=0.004).

Conclusions:

There was a relationship between cognitive health and adherence to pharmacological treatment and a low adherence to pharmacological treatment in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Nearly half of non-adherent older adults had levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) above the normal range.

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