Arif S. Ali, MD; Madiha Khan, MD; Danielle Ortega, DO; Syed Jaffery, MD; Lois E. Lamerato, PhD; Katarzyna Budzynska, MD
Corresponding Author: Katarzyna Budzynska, MD; Department of Family Medicine, Henry Ford Medical Center - Harbortown.
Contact Email: kbudzyn1@hfhs.org
Section: Original Research
Publication Date: 3/22/2022
BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (GLP-1a) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are recommended in carefully selected patients with type 2 diabetes. This study will assess prescription of these medications and investigate predictors of prescription.
METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 31,354 patients. Data including sociodemographic descriptors, clinical histories, medications and health insurance providers were extracted from a health system’s administrative databases. Variables to be associated with prescription of a GLP-1a or SGLT-2i were assessed using a multivariable logistic regression model.
RESULTS: Mean age was 62.58 years and 40.8% identified as African American. Only 3.4% were prescribed a GLP-1a and 2.1% received a SGLT-2i. Logistic regression demonstrated lower odds of receiving either medication in the highest age group (70- 79 years) (GLP-1a: odds ratio [OR] 0.44, p < 0.01, SGLT-2i: OR 0.39, p < 0.01) and in African Americans (GLP-1a: OR 0.64, p < 0.01, SGLT-2i: OR 0.28, p < 0.01). Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was not associated with GLP-1a prescription (p = 0.54) and conferred lower odds of being prescribed SGLT-2i (OR 0.68, p < 0.01). History of chronic kidney disease conferred lower odds of receiving GLP-1a and was not associated with the odds of receiving SGLT-2i.
CONCLUSIONS: Prescription of GLP-1a and SGLT-2i medications was low as compared with existing literature. Advanced age and African American race were negatively associated with prescription of these medications. Contrary to guideline recommendations; atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease were not positively associated with prescription.