Association of intrinsic capacity and medication non-adherence among older adults with non-communicable diseases in Taiwan

Objectives: Medication non-adherence among older adults with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remains prevalent worldwide, which causes hospitalization and mortality. Our study aimed to examine the association of medication non-adherence with level of overall intrinsic capacity (IC), pattern of IC, and specific IC component among older adults with NCDs. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of 1268 older adults aged 60 years and above was conducted in 2022 in southern Taiwan. Among them, 894 suffered from 1 more NCD were included in this study. The Integrated Care for Older People Screening Tool for Taiwanese and the Adherence to Refills and Medication Scale were used to assess IC and medication non-adherence, respectively. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify patterns of IC impairment, and binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between medication non-adherence and IC. Results: Older adults in the moderate (score: 1–2) or low (score≧3) overall IC groups were more likely to experience medication non-adherence (moderate: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.57 [95% CI: 1.05–2.36]; low: 2.26 [1.40–3.67]). The “physical and nutritional impairments accompanied by depressive symptoms” group was associated with statistically higher odds of medication non-adherence (aOR 1.66 [1.01–2.73]). Older adults with cognitive impairment, hearing loss, or depressive symptoms showed greater likelihood of medication non-adherence (cognitive impairment: aOR 1.53 [1.03–2.27]; hearing loss: aOR 1.57 [1.03–2.37]; depressive symptoms: aOR 1.81 [1.17–2.80]). Conclusions: Intervention for improving medication non-adherence among older adults with NCDs should consider IC.