Trends in Antihyperglycemic Medication Prescriptions and Hypoglycemia in Older Adults: 2002-2013.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Over the last decade, several new antihyperglycemic medications have been introduced including those associated with a lower hypoglycemia risk. We aimed to investigate how these medications are being prescribed to older adults in our region.

Methods

We conducted population-based cross-sectional analyses of older adults (mean age 75 years) with treated diabetes in Ontario, Canada from 2002 until 2013, to examine the percentage prescribed insulin, sulphonylureas, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, metformin, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Over the study period, we also examined their hospital encounters for hypoglycemia (emergency room or inpatient encounter).

Results

The mean age of treated patients increased slightly ove

SUBMITTER: Clemens KK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4559313 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature