Aim: To examine metformin dosage patterns among adults with type 2 diabetes in an integrated healthcare system in the US.
Methods: Using electronic medical records, the proportions of patients receiving different initial metformin doses were reported. Proportion of patients receiving ≥1500 mg metformin daily at initiation or within six months after initiation and the associated sociodemographic and clincal factors were examined.
Results: The cohort included 715 patients (52.6% female, 64.1% white, and mean age = 57.0 ± 12.7 years). Of these, 31.3% received an initial daily metformin dose of <850 mg, 46.9% received 850-1499 mg, and 21.8% received ≥1500 mg and 244 (34.1%) patients received ≥1500 mg metformin daily at initiation or within six months after initiation. Patients aged 65-79 years (vs. those aged <50 years) and blacks (vs. whites) were less likely and Hispanics (vs. whites) and patients with higher HbA1c before metformin initiation were more likely to receive ≥1500 mg metformin daily at initiation or within six months after initiation.
Conclusions: Study findings suggest a need for efforts to maximize the proportion of eligible patients receiving a recommended metformin dose. Factors impacting metformin dosage identified in the study could be a useful guidance.
Keywords: Dosage patterns; Metformin; Real-world; Type 2 diabetes.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.