Curtis SE, et al. – This retrospective analysis examined the relationship between adherence to glucose–lowering agents (GLAs) and patient outcomes in an adult type 2 diabetes (T2D) population. Findings revealed that compared with nonadherence, adherence to GLAs among patients with T2D was related to a significant decline in acute care costs and resource utilization, outcomes that may positively impact the welfare of patients.

Methods

• Truven’s Commercial Claims and Encounters database provided information from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014.
• Patients 18 to 64 years with T2D were incorporated if they received a GLA from July 1, 2010, through June 30, 2011.
• Multivariable analyses inspected the connections among 3-year patient outcomes and adherence, defined as proportion of days covered 80% or more.
• Outcomes incorporated all-cause medical costs, acute care resource utilization, and acute complications.

Results

• In spite of the fact that there was no statistically significant difference in total costs when comparing adherent and nonadherent patients ($38,633 vs $38,357; P = .0720), acute care costs ($12,153 vs $8233; P <.0001) and outpatient costs ($16,964 vs $15,457; P <.0001) were significantly lower for adherent patients.
• In addition, adherence was also related to a lower probability of hospitalization (22.71% vs 17.65%; P <.0001) and emergency department (ED) visits (45.61% vs 38.47%; P <.0001), fewer hospitalizations (0.40 vs 0.27; P <.0001) and ED visits (1.23 vs 0.83; P <.0001), and a shorter hospital length of stay (2.16 vs 1.25 days; P <.0001).
• The study findings suggested that adherent patients were also less likely to be diagnosed with an acute complication in the 3-year post period (12.54% vs 9.64%; P <.0001).