Limitations of diabetes pharmacotherapy: results from the Vermont Diabetes Information System study.
BACKGROUND
There are a wide variety of medications available for the treatment of hyperglycemia in diabetes, including some categories developed in recent years. The goals of this study were to describe the glycemic medication profiles in a cohort of adult patients enrolled in primary care, to compare the regimens with measures of glycemic control, and to describe potential contraindicated regimens.


METHODS
One thousand and six subjects with diabetes cared for in community practices in the Northeast were interviewed at home at the time of enrollment in a trial of a diabetes decision support system. Laboratory data were obtained directly from the clinical laboratory. Current medications were obtained by direct observation of medication containers by a research assistant.


RESULTS
The median age of subjects was 63 years; 54% were female. The mean A1C was 7.1%, with 60% of subjects in excellent glycemic control (A1C < 7%). Ninety percent of patients were taking 2 or fewer medications for glycemic control, with a range of 0 to 4 medications. Insulin was used by 18%. As the number of diabetes medications increased from 0 to 4, the A1C increased from 6.5% to 9.2% (p < 0.001). The association between glycemic control and number of glycemic medications was confirmed using logistic regression, controlling for potential confounders. Almost 20% of subjects on metformin or thiazolidenediones had potential contraindications to these medications.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with diabetes cared for in primary care are on a wide variety of medication combinations for glycemic control, though most are on two or fewer medications. A greater number of diabetes medications is associated with poorer glycemic control, reflecting the limitations of current pharmacotherapy. One quarter of patients are on glycemic medications with potential contraindications.
MacLean
Charles D
CD
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 371 Pearl Street, Burlington, VT 05401, USA. charles.maclean@vtmednet.org
Littenberg
Benjamin
B
Kennedy
Amanda G
AG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000555:Ambulatory Care Information Systems; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D000075202:Contraindications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014707:Vermont
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents