Comparative analysis of medication reminder chart and pill box in improving medication adherence and clinical outcome of diabetic patients

Context: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with a high global burden. Non-adherence to medication contributes significantly to poor glycemic control among patients with diabetes. Aims: To compare the effectiveness of medication reminder charts and pill boxes in improving medication adherence and clinical outcomes among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A non-equivalent control group study was conducted in Surabaya (May-July 2024), involving 251 participants divided into control, reminder chart, and pill box groups. Adherence was assessed using the ARMS-D questionnaire, and clinical outcomes were measured via glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels before and after a three-month intervention. Results: Both interventions improved adherence scores, with the pill box group showing superior outcomes. Approximately 29.1% of patients in the pill box group achieved adherence, and a statistically significant reduction in HbA1c was observed compared to the control group (p=0.002). Conclusions: The pill box intervention was more effective than the medication reminder chart in improving both medication adherence and glycemic control.