Prescribing trends of glucose-lowering drugs in older adults from 2010 to 2021: A population-based study of Northern Italy
Authors' conclusion
We found a significant increase in the prescriptions of GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i in older diabetics, mainly in those with CVD. However, drugs without CV benefits including sulfonylureas and DPP-4i continued to be highly prescribed in older patients. There is still room to improve the management in this population according to recommendations.
Study context
- Population
- Patients aged 65–90 years treated with glucose-lowering drugs, Northern Italy, 2010–2021
- Participants
- 251,737 vs 308,372
- Exposure
- Prescribing of glucose-lowering drugs, 2010 vs 2021
- 2010n = 251,737reference
- 2021n = 308,372
- Outcome
- Prevalence rate of glucose-lowering drugs within each study year
Methodological detailslinkable administrative health databases, stratified analysis by gender, age and CVD
- Linkable administrative health databases
- Stratified analysis by gender, age and CVD
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Prevalence of use, 2010 to 2021
- Metformin use increased
- 68.4% to 76.6%
- DPP-4i use increased
- 1.6% to 18.4%
- GLP-1 RA use increased
- 0.4% to 10.2%
- SGLT2i use increased
- 0.6% to 11.1%
- SU use decreased
- 53.6% to 20.7%
- Glinide use decreased
- 10.5% to 3.5%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Use by age
- Metformin, glitazones, GLP-1 RA, SGLT2i and DPP-4i (except 2021) use decreased with aging, in contrast to SU, glinides and insulin
Use by CVD
- CVD associated with higher prescription of glinides, insulin, DPP-4i, GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i, particularly in 2021
Original publication
Prescribing trends of glucose-lowering drugs in older adults from 2010 to 2021: A population-based study of Northern Italy. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 1 June 2023. doi:10.
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