[Real-world evidence on pharmacological appropriateness in type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease]

Rev Fac Cien Med Univ Nac Cordoba. 2023 Dec 26;80(4):335-351. doi: 10.31053/1853.0605.v80.n4.42272.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the proportion of individuals with established Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) who are receiving pharmacological anti-diabetic treatment with evidence of cardiovascular benefit at a hospital in Argentina.

Materials and methods: Cross-sectional study conducted at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires. A consecutive sample of adult patients affiliated with the institutional prepaid health plan active in March 2020, diagnosed with T2DM and established CVD, was included. Data were collected from the Electronic Health Record. The proportion of pharmacological adequacy (combined use of metformin plus sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and/or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists) was reported along with its respective 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: A total of 1539 patients were included, with a mean age of 76.2 years; 65.3% were male, and 81.6% were overweight or obese. Hemoglobin A1c levels were recorded in the past year for 74.9% of patients, with an average value of 6.9% (SD 1.2). The most prescribed drugs were metformin (61.3%), insulin (26.7%), and gliptins (11%). Out of the total included patients, 82 exhibited pharmacotherapeutic adequacy for diabetes treatment, with a prevalence of 5.3% (95% CI 4.2-6.5).

Conclusions: The prevalence of prescribing anti-diabetic drugs with evidence of cardiovascular benefit was 5.3% (95% CI 4.2-6.5). This real-world evidence highlights the low frequency of prescribing this type of medication at the time of the study in a high cardiovascular risk population.

Objetivo: Estimar la proporción de personas con Diabetes Mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) y Enfermedad Cardiovascular (ECV) establecida que reciben tratamiento farmacológico anti-diabético con evidencia de beneficio cardiovascular en un hospital en Argentina.

Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal realizado en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Se incluyó una muestra consecutiva de pacientes adultos afiliados a prepaga institucional activos a Marzo 2020, con diagnóstico de DM2 y ECV establecida. Los datos se tomaron de la Historia Clínica Electrónica. Se informó la proporción de adecuación farmacológica (uso combinado de metformina más inhibidores del cotransportador de sodio glucosa tipo 2 y/o agonistas del Péptido Similar al Glucagón tipo 1) con su respectivo IC95%.

Resultados: Se incluyeron 1539 pacientes, con una media de edad 76,2 años, 65,3% eran de sexo masculino, 81,6% con sobrepeso u obesidad. Un 74,9% de los pacientes tenían registro de hemoglobina glicosilada en el último año, con un valor promedio de 6,9% (DE 1,2). Las drogas más prescritas fueron: metformina (61,3%), insulina (26,7%), y gliptinas (11%). Del total de pacientes incluidos, 82 presentaron adecuación fármaco-terapéutica antidiabética, con una prevalencia de 5,3% (IC95% 4,2-6,5).

Conclusiones: La prevalencia de prescripción de drogas antidiabéticas con evidencia de beneficio cardiovascular fue de 5,3% (IC95% 4,2-6,5). Esta información extraída de evidencia del mundo real identifica la baja frecuencia de prescripción de este tipo de fármacos al momento del estudio en una población de alto riesgo cardiovascular.

Keywords: diabetes mellitus type 2; cardiovascular diseases; hypoglycemic agents; sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors; liraglutide.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Argentina / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2*
  • Glucose
  • Humans
  • Metformin*

Substances

  • Metformin
  • Glucose