Glycemic control parameters in insulin-naïve patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes referred to endocrinologists, and degree of implementation of the national Spanish consensus for the management of hyperglycemia

ObjectiveTo assess blood glucose in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with oral antidiabetic drugs in primary care at the time of referral to specialized endocrinologists, and the degree of implementation of the national consensus guidelines of the Spanish Society of Diabetes by evaluating steps one (S1), two (S2), and three (S3) of the escalating therapy.Material and methodsRetrospective, observational study where 81 endocrinologists evaluated patients ≥40 years of age referred from primary care between July 2012 and July 2013, treated with 1–2 oral antidiabetic drugs but no insulin therapy, and with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels ≥6.5%. Patients also had to have HbA1c levels and both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose measurements from the previous three months.ResultsA total of 285 patients (57.6% males) were assessed. Mean (SD) age was 63.1 (9.7) years, mean HbA1c was 8.5 (1.2) %, mean FPG was 171.7 (43) mg/dL, and mean postprandial plasma glucose was 206.8 (50) mg/dL. In primary care, 26.0% of patients were at S1 and 74.0% were at S2. After referral to the endocrinologist, 9.8% of patients moved onto S1, 42.8% onto S2, and 47.4% onto S3. Oral antidiabetic drugs most commonly prescribed in primary care were metformin (90.2%), DPP-4 inhibitors (34.4%), and sulfonylureas (30.5%), while drugs most commonly used in the specialized endocrinology setting were metformin (86%), insulin (56.8%), and DPP-4 inhibitors (49.8%). The most commonly followed guidelines were those of the American Diabetes Association and the consensus guidelines of the Spanish Society of Diabetes, in 77% and 45% of cases respectively.ConclusionApproximately half the patients treated with oral antidiabetic drugs in primary care are prescribed insulin after referral to an endocrinology specialist. The most commonly followed guidelines in specialized care are the American Diabetes Association guidelines.

ResumenObjetivoEvaluar el control glucémico en pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 que son remitidos a Endocrinología desde Asistencia Primaria (AP) por no estar controlados con antidiabéticos orales sin insulinoterapia; y el grado de implementación del consenso nacional de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes, valorando los sucesivos escalones, primero (Pe), segundo (Se) y tercero (Te), del abordaje terapéutico.Material y métodosEstudio observacional retrospectivo en el que 81 endocrinólogos evaluaron los pacientes mayores de 40 años remitidos por AP entre julio de 2012 y julio de 2013, tratados con 1–2 antidiabéticos orales, no insulinizados, con una hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1c) ≥ 6,5%, y en los que se disponía en los 3 meses previos de Hb1Ac, glucosa capilar en ayunas y glucosa capilar posprandial.ResultadosFueron evaluables 285 pacientes (57,6% varones), con una edad media (DE) de 63,1 (9,7) años, HbA1c media de 8,5 (1,2)%, glucosa capilar en ayunas 171,7 (43) mg/dl y glucosa capilar posprandial 206,8 (50) mg/dl. En AP el 26,0% de los pacientes se situaban en Pe terapéutico y el 74,0% en el Se. En atención especializada solo el 9,8% de la cohorte está en el Pe, el 42,8% en el Se y el 47,4% en el Te. Los fármacos más prescritos en AP fueron metformina (90,2%), inhibidores DPP-4 (34,4%) y sulfonilureas (30,5%), mientras que en Endocrinología fueron metformina (86%), insulina (56,8%) e inhibidores DPP-4 (49,8%). Las guías clínicas más seguidas fueron las de la American Diabetes Association y el consenso de la Sociedad Española de Diabetes, en un 77 y 45% respectivamente.ConclusionesAproximadamente la mitad de los pacientes con diabetes mellitus 2 no insulinizados y tratados con antidiabéticos orales en AP, son tratados con insulina en Endocrinología. La guía clínica más seguida por el especialista es la de la American Diabetes Association.