PATIENT-LEVEL MISCONCEPTIONS AS DETERMINANTS OF ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC AGENT USE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

Objective: To examine patient-level misconceptions related to oral hypoglycemic agent use and their association with treatment patterns using a cross-sectional analysis of outpatient data. Methods: This cross-sectional study used an outpatient drug utilization survey involving adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus receiving OHAs, either alone or in combination with insulin. Patient-level misconceptions were inferred from reported medication-related behaviors that deviated from evidence-based diabetes management principles. Descriptive analyses were performed to assess the prevalence of identified misconception domains and their distribution across treatment patterns. Results: Among 59 patients included in the analysis, treatment permanence misconceptions were observed in 27.1% of participants, while safety-related misconceptions were identified in 18.6%. Treatment permanence misconceptions were more common among patients receiving oral hypoglycemic agents alone compared with those receiving combined OHA–insulin therapy. Safety-related misconceptions were present in both treatment groups, but were more frequent among patients on OHA monotherapy. Conclusion: Patient-level misconceptions regarding oral hypoglycemic agent use are common and vary according to treatment exposure. Addressing these misconceptions through patient-centered education and consistent counselling may be essential for promoting rational and sustained use of oral hypoglycemic agents in routine diabetes care.