Use of cardiovascular medicines in newly treated type 2 diabetes patients: A retrospective cohort study in general practice.

Abstract

AIMS: To describe the drug utilisation patterns of aspirin, antihypertensives, vasodilators, and statins in a cohort of newly treated type 2 diabetes subjects previously unexposed to CVD agents. METHODS: A population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national pharmacy claims database of newly treated type 2 diabetes subjects aged 40 years or older. Data on the use of aspirin, antihypertensives, vasodilators, and statins 1 year after antidiabetic agent initiation were analysed. Poisson regression with a robust error variance was used to estimate adjusted relative risk (RRadj) and 95% CIs between socio-demographic and treatment factors on CVD agent use. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period (2008-2009), 6093 subjects were identified. One year after antidiabetic agent initiation, 82% of the study population received at least one CVD agent, with 54% receiving aspirin, 64% receiving antihypertensives, 6% vasodilators, and 62% receiving statins. Subjects aged 40-49 years were significantly less likely than those aged 60-69 years to receive CVD agents (RRadj 0.83, 95% CI 0.80-0.87). Over 40% of subjects received antihypertensives without aspirin and statins, while 30% of subjects on statins did not receive aspirin. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial CVD agent utilisation was noted 1 year after antidiabetic agent initiation. Being aged younger than 60-69 years was associated with decreased utilisation of CVD agents.