Medication Use in Type 1 Diabetes and the Association with Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Analysis of a National Linked Dataset
Authors' conclusion
Receipt of commonly prescribed medications in type 1 diabetes and polypharmacy were associated with increased socioeconomic disadvantage.
Study context
- Population
- People with T1D registered on the National Diabetes Services Scheme, Australia, 2013–2019; 54.3% males; median age 38.8 years; median diabetes duration 17.0 years
- Participants
- 68,287 people
- Exposure
- Most vs least disadvantaged areas
- Outcome
- Proportion dispensed a medication class (beyond insulin), by year and by levels of Index of Relative Social Disadvantage
- Follow-up
- 2013–2019
Methodological detailsnational linked dataset, National Diabetes Services Scheme linked to Australian pharmaceutical claims database
- National linked dataset
- National Diabetes Services Scheme linked to Australian pharmaceutical claims database
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Receipt of medication classes, most vs least disadvantaged areas (crude rates) · 2019
- Adjuvant glucose-lowering therapy: most vs least disadvantaged
- 21.5% vs. 11.6%
- Antihypertensive therapies: most vs least disadvantaged
- 36.1% vs. 28.8%
- Lipid-lowering therapies: most vs least disadvantaged
- 35.7% vs. 29.7%
- Antithrombotic medication: most vs least disadvantaged
- 8.9% vs. 5.6%
- Proton pump inhibitors: most vs least disadvantaged
- 25.2% vs. 17.1%
- Medications for asthma: most vs least disadvantaged
- 13.2% vs. 8.4%
- Medications for mental health: most vs least disadvantaged
- 27.5% vs. 21.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Polypharmacy (≥5 medications)
Number of medications used
- Median number of medications (IQR 3-8)
- 5
Trends 2013–2019
- Trends relatively stable, except use of noninsulin (adjuvant) glucose-lowering agents, which increased
Original publication
Medication Use in Type 1 Diabetes and the Association with Socioeconomic Disadvantage: Analysis of a National Linked Dataset. Diabetes Technol Ther. Published 3 October 2025. doi:10.
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