Dataset Information

Chronic Medication Burden and Complexity for US Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Glucose-Lowering Agents.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Most adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have several chronic conditions treated with complex regimens and multiple medications. The burden and complexity of multiple medication use are associated with worse patient outcomes, including reduced adherence and increased costs, hospitalizations, mortality rates, and HbA1c. This study quantifies the chronic medication burden, regimen complexity, and potential medication interactions in patients with T2D using a nationwide claims database in the USA.

Methods

Adults with T2D treated for greater than half of the year with at least one glucose-lowering agent (GLA) in 2017 were included in this descriptive study. Chronic medications were defined as all GLAs and non-GLA medications prescribed for at least 90 days in 2017 to at least 2% of the cohort. Medication burden, defined as the number of medications prescribed, was examined. Medication complexity, proxied by the Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI), and potential use of interacting medications were also examined. Results were investigated for all chronic medications and were reported on the basis of the disease treated (diabetes or other condition) and the route of administration (oral or other).

Results

On average, in 2017, the 814,156 patients included in the study filled prescriptions for 4.1 chronic medications (standard deviation [SD]?=?2.0), 3.7 oral chronic medications (SD?=?1.9), 1.5 GLAs (SD?=?0.8), and 1.1 oral GLAs (SD?=?0.7). The average MRCI was 14.7 for all chronic medications (SD?=?7.4), with a mean of 12.4 for all oral chronic medications (SD?=?6.3), 6.6 for all GLAs (SD?=?3.8), and 4.9 for oral GLAs (SD?=?2.6).

Conclusion

On average, patients with T2D used multiple medications, had a complex medication regimen, and were at potential risk of medication interactions. These findings suggest that patients, practitioners, pharmacists, and payers may benefit from interventions which decrease medication burden, complexity, and/or adverse events related to the treatment of T2D.

SUBMITTER: Boye KS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7324456 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Chronic Medication Burden and Complexity for US Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Glucose-Lowering Agents.

Boye Kristina S KS Mody Reema R Lage Maureen J MJ Douglas Steven S Patel Hiren H

Diabetes therapy : research, treatment and education of diabetes and related disorders 20200523 7

<h4>Introduction</h4>Most adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have several chronic conditions treated with complex regimens and multiple medications. The burden and complexity of multiple medication use are associated with worse patient outcomes, including reduced adherence and increased costs, hospitalizations, mortality rates, and HbA1c. This study quantifies the chronic medication burden, regimen complexity, and potential medication interactions in patients with T2D using a nationwide claims da ...[more]

PMID: 32447737

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Dataset Information

Chronic Medication Burden and Complexity for US Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Glucose-Lowering Agents.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Chronic Medication Burden and Complexity for US Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Glucose-Lowering Agents.

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