Work-related factors related to forgetting to take oral diabetes medication during the working day among Japanese male employees with diabetes

This study aimed to explore the work-related factors related to forgetting to take oral diabetes medication during the working day among Japanese employees with diabetes. This worksite-based study was designed to clarify the important work-related factors for preventing the aggravation of diabetes among working-age people and support for coexisting diabetes treatment and work (Ryoritsu Shien). This cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2018. The participants were full-time employees with type 2 diabetes aged over 40 years who took oral diabetes medication during the working day. The participants were classified into forgetting and non-forgetting groups. Their characteristics and work-related factors were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire and specific health checkup data. Of the 93 employees with diabetes, 22 (23.7%) were classified into the forgetting group. After adjusting for confounding factors, irregular meal times during the working day was positively associated with forgetting to take oral diabetes medication during the working day [multivariable-adjusted odds ratio (OR), 7.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.38–36.32, irregular vs. regular]. Skipping meals during the working day was positively associated with forgetting to take oral diabetes medication during the working day (multivariable-adjusted OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.14–11.09 presence vs. absence). Our findings suggest that irregular meal times and skipping meals during the working day are important factors related to forgetting to take oral diabetes medication during the working day among Japanese male employees with diabetes.