Objective: There is lack of evidence on the burden of and factors associated with non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication among individuals living with diabetes in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Therefore, we carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analytic synthesis to estimate non-adherence to anti-diabetic medication reported among adults in LMICs and to explore factors affecting non-adherence. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE and Embase to identify studies investigating non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications published between January 2000 and May 2020. Cross-sectional studies that had been conducted among individuals with diabetes in LMICs were eligible for the selection process. Critical appraisal of the included studies was carried out using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis was carried out using Stata 14.2. Random effects model was used to compute the pooled proportion at 95% confidence interval. Results: Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 13 studies were used in meta-analysis. The pooled proportion of non-adherence to anti-diabetic medications using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) was 43.4% (95% CI: 17.5–69.4; p=0.000) and 29.1% (95% CI: 19.8–38.4; p=0.000) when using the cut-off at 80 or 90%. The pooled proportion of non-adherence was 29.5% (95% CI: 25.5–33.5; p=0.098) when using the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. The factors for non-adherence based on World Health Organization demonstrated considerable variation of non-adherence to ant-diabetic medication in LMICs depending on the methods used to estimate non-adherence. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate a significantly higher proportion of medication non-adherence among individuals with diabetes in LMIC settings when MMAS-8 item scale was used and low when 80-90% cut-off scales were used. Various factors, such as disease factors, therapy-related factors, healthcare system factor, patient-centered factors, and social and economic factors contributed to non-adherence. Therefore, comprehensive multifaceted strategies are urgently needed to address factors associated with anti-diabetic medication non-adherence.

Aims: We carried out a systematic literature review and meta-analytic synthesis to find out association between DM and related outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection. Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify studies investigating comorbidities, clinical manifestations and resource utilization of diabetic patients exposed with COVID-19 published from inception to January 2021. Meta-analysis was carried out using Review Manager 5.3. Random effects model was used to compute the pooled estimates of odds ratio/mean difference (OR)/(MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Results from the pooled meta-analysis found that CVD, hypertension, AKI, cerebrovascular disease, AKI and ARDS were significantly associated with DM in COVID-19 infected patients compared to non-diabetic patients. There is significant association found between mortality and DM compared to non-diabetic patients [OR (95% CI): 2.46 (1.68, 3.58)]. ICU admission and use of mechanical ventilation was significantly associated with DM and COVID-19 vs. non-diabetic [OR (95% CI): 2.79 (1.79,4.34) and 3.33 (2.05, 5.42)] respectively. However, LOS, hospitalization, and ICU admission were not significantly differing between diabetes vs. non-diabetes. Conclusions: The results showed a significant association between mortality and DM exposed with COVID-19. Other co-morbidities especially CVD/hypertension could be a serious threat for DM COVID-19 infected patients for the higher mortality.