Medication Adherence in Relation to Beliefs About Medicines and Health‐Related Quality of Life Among Community‐Dwelling Patients: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis

BACKGROUND: Poor medication adherence is a widespread challenge among community-dwelling patients, and contributes to adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to describe self-reported medication adherence and identify associated factors, focusing on beliefs about medicines and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2024, enrolling a convenience sample of 301 consecutively recruited community-dwelling patients with chronic diseases. Medication adherence was assessed using the 5-item Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS-5), HRQoL with the EQ-5D-5L, and medication beliefs with the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ). Group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney or Kruskal-Wallis test. Multivariable linear regression identified predictors of adherence, and Spearman correlation assessed the relationships between MARS-5 scores and BMQ Concerns and Necessity subscales. RESULTS: MARS-5 scores ranged from 7 to 25 (mean 22.37 ± 4.02). Overall, 43.19% of participants showed high adherence (score = 25). Higher adherence was associated with younger age, higher education, lower age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, living with family, and hypertension (all p < 0.05). Non-adherence was significantly correlated with all EQ-5D-5L dimensions (all p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, higher education, living with family, and the absence of anxiety/depression problems were independent predictors of better adherence (p < 0.05). Furthermore, BMQ-necessity scores positively correlated with adherence, whereas BMQ-concern scores showed a negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored interventions addressing demographic and psychosocial factors may improve medication adherence in chronic disease management. Future studies should develop and evaluate strategies targeting these factors across diverse populations.