Status and Risk of Noncompliance of Adherence to Medications for Metabolic Diseases According to Occupational Characteristics

Thus far, little attention has been paid to adherence to medications focusing on the workers and occupational characteristics. This study aimed to assess the status and risk of noncompliance among workers compared to nonworkers, and the association between nonadherence to medication of metabolic diseases and occupational characteristics. Self-reported adherence to medications for hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia and occupational characteristics were evaluated using the Korea Health Panel Study (2008-2018). The status of adherence to medications was evaluated based on working status, with detailed reasons provided for noncompliance. The risk of noncompliance was estimated using the generalized estimating equation, and a subgroup analysis with age-standardized prevalence ratio according to occupational characteristics was also conducted. During the follow-up period, 19,660 (13.9%) person years were noncompliant with medication adherence for 141,807 person years. Workers had a higher prevalence (15.0%) of noncompliance than nonworkers (13.0%). Workers (OR:1.10, 95% CI:1.04-1.14) showed an increased risk of noncompliance compared to nonworkers. Workers who were manual, unpaid family workers, irregular, or dispatched workers showed an increased prevalence of noncompliance. This study found that workers were susceptible to nonadherence to metabolic disease medication. Future research on the role of working conditions in medication adherence would benefit metabolic disease prevention.