Title | Real-World Treatment Escalation from Metformin Monotherapy in Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Retrospective Cohort Study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2021 |
Authors | Vajravelu MEllen, Hitt TA, Amaral S, Katz LELevitt, Lee JM, Kelly A |
Journal | Pediatr Diabetes |
Date Published | 2021 May 12 |
ISSN | 1399-5448 |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: Due to high rates of comorbidities and rapid progression, youth with type 2 diabetes may benefit from early and aggressive treatment. However, until 2019, the only approved medications for this population were metformin and insulin. OBJECTIVE: To investigate patterns and predictors of treatment escalation within 5 years of metformin monotherapy initiation for youth with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice. SUBJECTS: Commercially-insured patients with incident youth-onset (10-18 years) type 2 diabetes initially treated with metformin only. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using a patient-level medical claims database with data from 2000 - 2020. Frequency and order of treatment escalation to insulin and non-insulin antihyperglycemics were determined and categorized by age at diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate potential predictors of treatment escalation, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbidities, complications, and metformin adherence (medication possession ratio ≥0.8). RESULTS: The cohort included 829 (66% female; median age at diagnosis 15 years; 19% Hispanic, 17% Black) patients, with median 2.9-year follow-up after metformin initiation. One-quarter underwent treatment escalation (n=207; 88 to insulin, 164 to non-insulin antihyperglycemic). Younger patients were more likely to have insulin prescribed prior to other antihyperglycemics. Age at diagnosis (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07-1.21), medication adherence (HR 4.10, 95% CI 2.96-5.67), Hispanic ethnicity (HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.28-2.61), and diabetes-related complications (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.15-2.74) were positively associated with treatment escalation. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, treatment escalation for pediatric type 2 diabetes differs with age. Off-label use of non-insulin antihyperglycemics occurs, most commonly among older adolescents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. |
DOI | 10.1111/pedi.13232 |
Alternate Journal | Pediatr Diabetes |
PubMed ID | 33978986 |