Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) are advised to keep a healthy diet and increase physical activity in addition to taking antidiabetic drugs. To prevent complications associated with diabetes, drugs to control blood pressure and dyslipidemia are also included in the treatment regimen. Despite expanding treatment options every year, studies show that less than 50% of patients reach their targets. Most often this is due to low adherence of patients to treatment. Treatment adherence is the degree to which a person’s behavior - taking medication, following diet, and executing lifestyle changes - corresponds to recommendations. The first part of the review discusses the factors that reduce adherence to DM drug therapy and possible strategies for improving adherence (modification of drug prescribing regimens, methods of their administration; the use of educational programs to improve communication between the doctor and the patient). The second part of the review discusses ways to improve adherence to non-pharmacological treatments for DM2 (lifestyle modifications) and build sustainable treatment motivation. All the strategies for improving patient adherence described in the review have proven efficacy and should be included in routine clinical practice.

Keywords: motivation, adherence, type 2 diabetes mellitus, therapeutic education, lifestyle