Rates of Deintensification of Blood Pressure and Glycemic Medication Treatment Based on Levels of Control and Life Expectancy in Older Patients With Diabetes Mellitus

Clinician and Family Caregiver Perspectives on Deprescribing Chronic Disease Medications in Older Nursing Home Residents Near the End of Life

INTRODUCTION

Nursing home (NH) residents with limited life expectancy (LLE) who are intensely treated for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, or diabetes may benefit from deprescribing.

OBJECTIVE

This study sought to describe NH clinician and family caregiver perspectives on key influences on deprescribing decisions for chronic disease medications in NH residents near the end of life.

METHODS

We recruited family caregivers of veterans who recently died in a Veterans Affairs (VA) NH, known as community living centers (CLCs), and CLC healthcare clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, registered nurses). Respondents completed semi-structured interviews about their experiences with deprescribing statin, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic medications for residents near end of life. We conducted thematic analysis of interview transcripts to identify key themes regarding influences on deprescribing decisions.

RESULTS

Thirteen family caregivers and 13 clinicians completed interviews. Key themes included (1) clinicians and caregivers both prefer to minimize drug burden; (2) clinical factors strongly influence deprescribing of chronic disease medications, with differences in how clinicians and caregivers weigh specific factors; (3) caregivers trust and rely on clinicians to make deprescribing decisions; (4) clinicians perceive caregiver involvement and buy-in as essential to deprescribing decisions, which requires time and effort to obtain; and (5) clinicians perceive conflicting care from other clinicians as a barrier to deprescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest a need for efforts to encourage communication with and education for family caregivers of residents with LLE about deprescribing, and to foster better collaboration among clinicians in CLC and non-CLC settings.

Evaluation of deprescription by general practitioners in elderly people with different levels of dependence: cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is easily achieved in elderly patients with multimorbidity and it is associated with a higher risk of potentially inappropriate medication use and worse health outcomes. Studies have shown that deprescription is safe, however, some barriers have been identified. The aim of this study was to analyse Portuguese General Practitioners (GP) deprescription's attitudes using clinical vignettes.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study using an online survey with 3 sections: demographic and professional characterization; two clinical vignettes with an elderly patient with multimorbidity and polypharmacy in which the dependency level varies; barriers and factors influencing deprescription. Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were calculated to describe the GPs. Analysis of the deprescription attitude, globally and for each drug, for each clinical vignette applying the McNeemar's test.

RESULTS

A sample of 396 GP was obtained with a mean age of 38 years, most of them female. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) was observed in deprescribing according to the patient dependency level, with more GPs (80.4% versus 75.3%) deprescribing in the most dependent patient. A statistically significant difference was found for all drugs except for antihypertensive drugs. All medications were deprescribed more often in dependent patients except for anti-dementia drugs. More than 70% of the participants considered life expectancy and quality of life as "very important" factors for deprescription and more than 90% classified the existence of guidelines and the risks and benefits of medication as "very important" or "important". In the open question, the factors most reported by the GP were those related to the patient (52,9%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the largest study on this topic carried out in Portugal using clinical vignettes, with a representative sample of Portuguese GP. The level of dependence significatively influenced the deprescription attitude of Portuguese GPs. The majority of the GPs classified the quality of life, life expectancies, potential negative effects and the existence of guidelines as "very important" or "important" while deprescribing. It is important to develop and test deprescribing in real life studies to analyze if these attitudes are the same in daily practice.

Using Behavioral Economics to Reduce Low-Value Care Among Older Adults: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Use of low-value care is common among older adults. It is unclear how to best engage clinicians and older patients to decrease use of low-value services.

Objective

To test whether the Committing to Choose Wisely behavioral economic intervention could engage primary care clinicians and older patients to reduce low-value care.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial conducted at 8 primary care clinics of an academic health system and a private group practice between December 12, 2017, and September 4, 2019. Participants were primary care clinicians and older adult patients who had diabetes, insomnia, or anxiety or were eligible for prostate cancer screening. Data analysis was performed from October 2019 to November 2023.

Intervention

Clinicians were invited to commit in writing to Choosing Wisely recommendations for older patients to avoid use of hypoglycemic medications to achieve tight glycemic control, sedative-hypnotic medications for insomnia or anxiety, and prostate-specific antigen tests to screen for prostate cancer. Committed clinicians had their photographs displayed on clinic posters and received weekly emails with alternatives to these low-value services. Educational handouts were mailed to applicable patients before scheduled visits and available at the point of care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Patient-months with a low-value service across conditions (primary outcome) and separately for each condition (secondary outcomes). For patients with diabetes, or insomnia or anxiety, secondary outcomes were patient-months in which targeted medications were decreased or stopped (ie, deintensified).

Results

The study included 81 primary care clinicians and 8030 older adult patients (mean [SD] age, 75.1 [7.2] years; 4076 men [50.8%] and 3954 women [49.2%]). Across conditions, a low-value service was used in 7627 of the 37 116 control patient-months (20.5%) and 7416 of the 46 381 intervention patient-months (16.0%) (adjusted odds ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.65-0.97). For each individual condition, there were no significant differences between the control and intervention periods in the odds of patient-months with a low-value service. The intervention increased the odds of deintensification of hypoglycemic medications for diabetes (adjusted odds ratio, 1.85; 95% CI, 1.06-3.24) but not sedative-hypnotic medications for insomnia or anxiety.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial, the Committing to Choose Wisely behavioral economic intervention reduced low-value care across 3 common clinical situations and increased deintensification of hypoglycemic medications for diabetes. Use of scalable interventions that nudge patients and clinicians to achieve greater value while preserving autonomy in decision-making should be explored more broadly.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03411525.

13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2024

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, an interprofessional expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Process evaluation of a pharmacist-led intervention aimed at deprescribing and appropriate use of cardiometabolic medication among adult people with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

A quasi-experimental study investigated a pharmacist-led intervention aimed at deprescribing and medication management among adult patients with type 2 diabetes at risk of hypoglycaemia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the process of implementing the intervention consisting of a tailored clinical medication review (CMR) supported by a training and a toolbox.

METHODS

Mixed-methods study based on the Grant framework, including the domains "recruitment," "delivery of intervention" and "response" of pharmacists and patients. Data collected were administrative logs, semi-structured observations of patient consultations (n = 8), interviews with pharmacists (n = 16) and patient-reported experience measure (PREM) questionnaires (n = 66).

RESULTS

Tailored CMRs were conducted largely as intended for 90 patients from 14 pharmacies. Although patient selection based on a medication-derived hypoglycaemia risk score was considered useful, pharmacists experienced barriers to proposing deprescribing in patients with recent medication changes, without current hypoglycaemic events, or treated by medical specialists. The training and toolbox were evaluated positively by the pharmacists. Overall, patients were satisfied with the CMR.

CONCLUSION

Pharmacists and patients valued the CMR focusing on deprescribing and medication management. To optimize implementation and effectiveness of the intervention, improvements can be made to the patient selection, pharmacist training and the collaboration between healthcare professionals.

Medication misuse and overuse in community-dwelling persons with dementia

BACKGROUND

Persons with dementia (PWD) have high rates of polypharmacy. While previous studies have examined specific types of problematic medication use in PWD, we sought to characterize a broad spectrum of medication misuse and overuse among community-dwelling PWD.

METHODS

We included community-dwelling adults aged ≥66 in the Health and Retirement Study from 2008 to 2018 linked to Medicare and classified as having dementia using a validated algorithm. Medication usage was ascertained over the 1-year prior to an HRS interview date. Potentially problematic medications were identified by: (1) medication overuse including over-aggressive treatment of diabetes/hypertension (e.g., insulin/sulfonylurea with hemoglobin A1c < 7.5%) and medications inappropriate near end of life based on STOPPFrail and (2) medication misuse including medications that negatively affect cognition and medications from 2019 Beers and STOPP Version 2 criteria. To contextualize, we compared medication use to people without dementia through a propensity-matched cohort by age, sex, comorbidities, and interview year. We applied survey weights to make our results nationally representative.

RESULTS

Among 1441 PWD, median age was 84 (interquartile range = 78-89), 67% female, and 14% Black. Overall, 73% of PWD were prescribed ≥1 potentially problematic medication with a mean of 2.09 per individual in the prior year. This was notable across several domains, including 41% prescribed ≥1 medication that negatively affects cognition. Frequently problematic medications included proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, antihypertensives, and antidiabetic agents. Problematic medication use was higher among PWD compared to those without dementia with 73% versus 67% prescribed ≥1 problematic medication (p = 0.002) and mean of 2.09 versus 1.62 (p < 0.001), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Community-dwelling PWD frequently receive problematic medications across multiple domains and at higher frequencies compared to those without dementia. Deprescribing efforts for PWD should focus not only on potentially harmful central nervous system-active medications but also on other classes such as PPIs and NSAIDs.

Overtreatment and associated risk factors among multimorbid older patients with diabetes

BACKGROUND

In multimorbid older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the intensity of glucose-lowering medication (GLM) should be focused on attaining a suitable level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c ) while avoiding side effects. We aimed at identifying patients with overtreatment of T2DM as well as associated risk factors.

METHODS

In a secondary analysis of a multicenter study of multimorbid older patients, we evaluated HbA1c levels among patients with T2DM. Patients were aged ≥70 years, with multimorbidity (≥3 chronic diagnoses) and polypharmacy (≥5 chronic medications), enrolled in four university medical centers across Europe (Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, and Switzerland). We defined overtreatment as HbA1c  < 7.5% with ≥1 GLM other than metformin, as suggested by Choosing Wisely and used prevalence ratios (PRs) to evaluate risk factors of overtreatment in age- and sex-adjusted analyses.

RESULTS

Among the 564 patients with T2DM (median age 78 years, 39% women), mean ± standard deviation HbA1c was 7.2 ± 1.2%. Metformin (prevalence 51%) was the most frequently prescribed GLM and 199 (35%) patients were overtreated. The presence of severe renal impairment (PR 1.36, 1.21-1.53) and outpatient physician (other than general practitioner [GP], i.e. specialist) or emergency department visits (PR 1.22, 1.03-1.46 for 1-2 visits, and PR 1.35, 1.19-1.54 for ≥3 visits versus no visits) were associated with overtreatment. These factors remained associated with overtreatment in multivariable analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicountry study of multimorbid older patients with T2DM, more than one third were overtreated, highlighting the high prevalence of this problem. Careful balancing of benefits and risks in the choice of GLM may improve patient care, especially in the context of comorbidities such as severe renal impairment, and frequent non-GP healthcare contacts.

Metabolic Characteristics of Frail Older People with Diabetes Mellitus-A Systematic Search for Phenotypes

Frailty in older people with diabetes is viewed as one homogeneous category. We previously suggested that frailty is not homogeneous and spans across a metabolic spectrum that starts with an anorexic malnourished (AM) frail phenotype and ends with a sarcopenic obese (SO) phenotype. We aimed to investigate the metabolic characteristics of frail older people with diabetes reported in the current literature to explore whether they fit into two distinctive metabolic phenotypes. We performed systematic review of studies published over the last 10 years and reported characteristics of frail older people with diabetes mellitus. A total of 25 studies were included in this systematic review. Fifteen studies reported frail patients' characteristics that could fit into an AM phenotype. This phenotype is characterised by low body weight, increased prevalence of malnutrition markers such as low serum albumin, low serum cholesterol, low Hb, low HbA1c, and increased risk of hypoglycaemia. Ten studies reported frail patients' characteristics that describe a SO phenotype. This phenotype is characterised by increased body weight, increased serum cholesterol, high HbA1c, and increased blood glucose levels. Due to significant weight loss in the AM phenotype, insulin resistance decreases, leading to a decelerated diabetes trajectory and reduced hypoglycaemic agent use or deintensification of therapy. On the other hand, in the SO phenotype, insulin resistance increases leading to accelerated diabetes trajectory and increased hypoglycaemic agent use or intensification of therapy. Current literature suggests that frailty is a metabolically heterogeneous condition that includes AM and SO phenotypes. Both phenotypes have metabolically distinctive features, which will have a different effect on diabetes trajectory. Therefore, clinical decision-making and future clinical studies should consider the metabolic heterogeneity of frailty.

Pharmacist-led intervention aimed at deprescribing and appropriate use of cardiometabolic medication among people with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Potential overtreatment with cardiometabolic medication (i.e., glucose lowering medication, antihypertensives and statins) has been observed in 10-40% of older people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

OBJECTIVE

The potential effects of a pharmacist-led clinical medication review targeted at T2D patients who were at high risk of hypoglycaemia will be investigated.

METHODS

A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 14 Dutch community pharmacies. Patients with a high risk of hypoglycaemia were identified using a previously developed algorithm. Pharmacists confirmed eligibility and selected patients for the intervention. Remaining eligible patients were included as controls receiving usual care. The primary outcome was the proportion of intervention patients for whom an action on deprescribing or appropriate use of cardiometabolic medication was implemented. After three months, changes in cardiometabolic medication were compared between the intervention and control group using a Fischer exact test.

RESULTS

In total 90 intervention patients and 107 control patients were included. Intervention patients had an average age of 70, used on average 10 medications, five of which were cardiometabolic medication. For half of the intervention patients an action on deprescribing cardiometabolic medication was implemented (n = 25) and/or an advice about appropriate use of cardiometabolic medication was given (n = 22). In 48% of intervention patients at least one cardiometabolic medication (e.g. insulin, sulfonylurea, diuretic, beta-blocker, statin) was either stopped or reduced in dose compared to 31% of control patients (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

A pharmacist-led tailored clinical medication review has the potential to increase deprescribing and improve appropriate use of cardiometabolic medication in half of T2D patients at high risk of hypoglycaemia.

13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2023

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee, are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations and a full list of Professional Practice Committee members, please refer to Introduction and Methodology. Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

One-year safety and efficacy results of insulin treatment simplification with IDegLira in type 2 diabetes

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the sustained safety and efficacy of insulin treatment simplification with IDegLira in patients with type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c ≤ 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) during a 12-month follow-up.

METHODS

Seventy-two adults with type 2 diabetes and an HbA1c ≤ 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) treated with multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) participated in the trial (age 63.8 ± 9.5 years, HbA1c 6.4 ± 0.7%, [46 ± 8 mmol/mol] body weight 92.95 ± 18.83 kg, total daily insulin dose: 43.21 ± 10.80 units; mean ± SD). Previous insulins were stopped, and once daily IDegLira was started. IDegLira was titrated by the patients to achieve a self-measured prebreakfast plasma glucose concentration of ≥5 mmol/L to ≤6 mmol/L.

RESULTS

After 12 months, good glycaemic control was maintained, while body weight decreased significantly. Mean HbA1c changed to 6.2 ± 0.8% (44 ± 9 mmol/mol) (p = .109) and body weight changed by -3.89 kg to 89.06 ± 18.61 kg (p < .0001). The simplified treatment was safe and well-tolerated. Percentage of patients experiencing at least one episode of hypoglycaemia was 49% during the month before simplification and 17% during the last 3 months of the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin treatment simplification with IDegLira in selected patients with type 2 diabetes is safe, maintains adequate glycaemic control and is associated with weight loss over 12 months.

Potential Risk of Overtreatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Aged 75 Years or Older: Data from a Population Database in Catalonia, Spain

Aim: To assess the potential risk of overtreatment in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) aged 75 years or older in primary care. Methods: Electronic health records retrieved from the SIDIAP database (Catalonia, Spain) in 2016. Variables: age, gender, body mass index, registered hypoglycemia, last HbA1c and glomerular filtration rates, and prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs. Potential overtreatment was defined as having HbA1c < 7% or HbA1c < 6.5% in older patients treated with insulin, sulfonylureas, or glinides. Results: From a total population of 138,374 T2DM patients aged 75 years or older, 123,515 had at least one HbA1c available. An HbA1c below 7.0% was present in 59.1% of patients, and below 6.5% in 37.7%. Overall, 23.0% of patients were treated with insulin, 17.8% with sulfonylureas, and 6.6% with glinides. Potential overtreatment (HbA1c < 7%) was suspected in 26.6% of patients treated with any high-risk drug, 47.8% with sulfonylureas, 43.5% with glinides, and 28.1% with insulin. Using the threshold of HbA1c < 6.5%, these figures were: 21.6%, 24.4%, 17.9%, and 12.3%, respectively. Conclusion: One in four older adults with T2DM treated with antidiabetic drugs associated with a high risk of hypoglycemia might be at risk of overtreatment. This risk is higher in those treated with sulfonylureas or glinides than with insulin.

Primary care clinicians' use of deprescribing recommendations: A mixed-methods study

OBJECTIVE

to explore the effects of a deprescribing intervention on primary care clinicians' medication-related communication.

METHODS

A clinical decision support tool provided clinicians in the intervention group with an individualized report regarding potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), deintensification of diabetes and/or hypertension treatment, and poor adherence/cognition. Participants included 113 Veterans aged ≥ 65 prescribed ≥ 7 medications and their primary care clinicians. Encounters were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

Between 36% and 38% of intervention clinicians discussed PIMs and diabetes mellitus/hypertension deintensification and 94% discussed adherence. PIMs discussions referred to the report and prompted some medication changes. The diabetes mellitus/hypertension and adherence discussions were not prompted by the report but instead arose from enhanced medication reconciliation. Changes in diabetes mellitus/hypertension medications were not made out of overtreatment concerns. There was no deprescribing for nonadherence. Enhanced medication reconciliation also led to discussions about medications not in the report.

CONCLUSION

An individualized report regarding medication appropriateness prompted clinicians to perform a more thorough medication reconciliation and discuss PIMs. It did not prompt chronic care deintensification or deprescribing to enhance adherence.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Feedback reports can promote robust medication reconciliation in primary care. Changing clinician practice to achieve deprescribing in chronic disease management will be more challenging.

Glycemic treatment deintensification practices in nursing home residents with type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND

Older nursing home (NH) residents with glycemic overtreatment are at significant risk of hypoglycemia and other harms and may benefit from deintensification. However, little is known about deintensification practices in this setting.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019 among Veterans Affairs (VA) NH residents. Participants were VA NH residents age ≥65 with type 2 diabetes with a NH length of stay (LOS) ≥ 30 days and an HbA1c result during their NH stay. We defined overtreatment as HbA1c <6.5 with any insulin use, and potential overtreatment as HbA1c <7.5 with any insulin use or HbA1c <6.5 on any glucose-lowering medication (GLM) other than metformin alone. Our primary outcome was continued glycemic overtreatment without deintensification 14 days after HbA1c.

RESULTS

Of the 7422 included residents, 17% of residents met criteria for overtreatment and an additional 23% met criteria for potential overtreatment. Among residents overtreated and potentially overtreated at baseline, 27% and 19%, respectively had medication regimens deintensified (73% and 81%, respectively, continued to be overtreated). Long-acting insulin use and hyperglycemia ≥300 mg/dL before index HbA1c were associated with increased odds of continued overtreatment (odds ratio [OR] 1.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-1.65 and OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.10-1.66, respectively). Severe functional impairment (MDS-ADL score ≥ 19) was associated with decreased odds of continued overtreatment (OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.56-0.95). Hypoglycemia was not associated with decreased odds of overtreatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Overtreatment of diabetes in NH residents is common and a minority of residents have their medication regimens appropriately deintensified. Deprescribing initiatives targeting residents at high risk of harms and with low likelihood of benefit such as those with history of hypoglycemia, or high levels of cognitive or functional impairment are most likely to identify NH residents most likely to benefit from deintensification.

Trends in Timing of and Glycemia at Initiation of Second-line Type 2 Diabetes Treatment in U.S. Adults

OBJECTIVE

Therapeutic inertia threatens the potential long-term benefits of achieving early glycemic control after type 2 diabetes diagnosis. We evaluated temporal trends in second-line diabetes medication initiation among individuals initially treated with metformin.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We included data from 199,042 adults with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care system initially treated with metformin monotherapy from 2005 to 2013. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazards and linear regression to estimate associations of year of metformin monotherapy initiation with time to second-line diabetes treatment over 5 years of follow-up (primary outcome) and with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at the time of second-line diabetes treatment initiation (secondary outcome).

RESULTS

The cumulative 5-year incidence of second-line medication initiation declined from 47% among metformin initiators in 2005 to 36% in 2013 counterparts (P < 0.0001) despite a gradual increase in mean HbA1c at the end of follow-up (from 6.94 ± 1.28% to 7.09 ± 1.42%, Ptrend < 0.0001). In comparisons with metformin monotherapy initiators in 2005, adjusted hazard ratios for 5-year initiation of second-line diabetes treatment ranged from 0.90 (95% CI 0.87, 0.92) for 2006 metformin initiators to 0.68 (0.66, 0.70) for 2013 counterparts. Among those receiving second-line treatment within 5 years of metformin initiation, HbA1c at second-line medication initiation increased from 7.74 ± 1.66% in 2005 metformin initiators to 8.55 ± 1.92% in 2013 counterparts (Ptrend < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We observed progressive delays in diabetes treatment intensification consistent with therapeutic inertia. Process-of-care interventions early in the diabetes disease course may be needed to reverse adverse temporal trends in diabetes care.

Potential Overtreatment and Overtesting Among Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Across Canada: An Observational, Retrospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Our aim in this study was to assess potential overtreatment and overtesting among older adults with type 2 diabetes across Canada.

METHODS

An observational, population-based cohort study was conducted using data available through the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network. All patients included in the study were seen by a primary care provider between 2010 and 2017, ≥65 years with type 2 diabetes and had at least one glycated hemoglobin (A1C) measurement. Potential overtreatment was defined as an index A1C of <7% and being prescribed antidiabetes medications other than metformin within 1 year of the index A1C. Testing ≥3 times/year in patients with A1C <7% was considered potential overtesting. Analyses were performed/compared within 2 cross-sectional cohorts (2012 and 2016). A subcohort analysis was performed on those with advanced age and dementia.

RESULTS

An overall cohort of 41,032 patients (mean age, 76.6 years) was identified. Proportions of potential overtreatment were 7.0% (2012) and 6.9% (2016) (difference in rate in %: 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to 0.52]). Overall, 19.2% (2012) and 19.0% (2016) of patients were potentially overtested (difference in rate in %: 0.2; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.85), whereas 2.4% (2012) and 2.3% (2016) were potentially undertested (difference in rate in %: 0.1; 95% CI, -0.15 to 0.35). Among patients with dementia and advanced age, proportions of patients potentially overtreated were 14.5% and 12.1%, and those overtested were 29.2% and 25.0% in 2012 and 2016, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Potential overtreatment and overtesting exists among older adults with diabetes in Canadian primary care practices with minimal change over time. Higher proportions of potentially unnecessary care were observed in those with advanced age and dementia. Our study highlights an opportunity for primary care clinicians to improve testing and treatment practices considering the individual patient, context and potential for net benefit.

A Cross-Sectional study on risk factors for severe hypoglycemia among Insulin-Treated elderly type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients in Singapore

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the risk factors for severe hypoglycemia among Southeast Asian T2DM patients.

METHODS

Insulin-treated T2DM patients greater than 65 years old with HbA1c < 8% were recruited. They completed questionnaires detailing their experience of hypoglycemia and presence of impaired hypoglycemia awareness (IAH). Data on insulin treatment regimens, glycated haemoglobin (Hba1c) and comorbidities were also collected.

RESULTS

Of the 92 participants, 15.2% had at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia over the past year. Comparison between both groups showed that patients with severe hypoglycemia had lower Hba1c, higher Gold score (3.9 ± 1.9 vs. 2.5 ± 1.4; p < .05) and higher Hypoglycemia Fear Survey (HFS) worry score (39.1 ± 14.3 vs. 31.8 ± 11.8; p < .05). There were no significant differences in duration of diabetes and insulin treatment, treatment regimens and diabetes associated comorbidities except peripheral vascular disease. Furthermore, no significant differences were noted in HFS behavior score, hypoglycemia risk modifying behavior and social economic status.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with severe hypoglycemia had tighter glycemic control, greater IAH and higher worry scores regardless of treatment regimens. Clinicians may play a significant role in tightening glycemic control and influencing the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Standard structured diabetes education may help reduce the risk of severe hypoglycemia among this group of patients.

Type 2 Diabetes Management, Control and Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older US Veterans: an Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic required a change in outpatient care delivery models, including shifting from in-person to virtual visits, which may have impacted care of vulnerable patients.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the changes in management, control, and outcomes in older people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) associated with the shift from in-person to virtual visits.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

In veterans aged ≥ 65 years with T2D, we assessed the rates of visits (in person, virtual), A1c measurements, antidiabetic deintensification/intensification, ER visits and hospitalizations (for hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, other causes), and A1c level, in March 2020 and April-November 2020 (pandemic period). We used negative binomial regression to assess change over time (reference: pre-pandemic period, July 2018 to February 2020), by baseline Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI; > 2 vs. <= 2) and A1c level.

KEY RESULTS

Among 740,602 veterans (mean age 74.2 [SD 6.6] years), there were 55% (95% CI 52-58%) fewer in-person visits, 821% (95% CI 793-856%) more virtual visits, 6% (95% CI 1-11%) fewer A1c measurements, and 14% (95% CI 10-17%) more treatment intensification during the pandemic, relative to baseline. Patients with CCI > 2 had a 14% (95% CI 12-16%) smaller relative increase in virtual visits than those with CCI <= 2. We observed a seasonality of A1c level and treatment modification, but no association of either with the pandemic. After a decrease at the beginning of the pandemic, there was a rebound in other-cause (but not hypo- and hyperglycemia-related) ER visits and hospitalizations from June to November 2020.

CONCLUSION

Despite a shift to virtual visits and a decrease in A1c measurement during the pandemic, we observed no association with A1c level or short-term T2D-related outcomes, providing some reassurance about the adequacy of virtual visits. Further studies should assess the longer-term effects of shifting to virtual visits in different populations to help individualize care, improve efficiency, and maintain appropriate care while reducing overuse.

Initiating second-line antidiabetic medication among older adults with type 2 diabetes on Metformin

Background

Antidiabetic medications (ADM), especially sulfonylureas (SFU) and basal insulin (BI), are associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia, which is especially concerning among older adults in poor health. The objective of this study was to investigate prescribing patterns of ADM in older adults according to their health status.

Methods

This case control study analyzed administrative claims between 2013 and 2017 from a large national payer. The study population was derived from a nationwide database of 84,720 U.S. adults aged ≥65, who were enrolled in Medicare Advantage health insurance plans. Participants had type 2 diabetes on metformin monotherapy, and started a second-line ADM during the study period. The exposure was a binary variable for health status, with poor health defined by end-stage medical conditions, dementia, or residence in a long-term nursing facility. The outcome was a variable identifying which second-line ADM class was started, categorized as SFU, BI, or other (i.e. all other ADM classes combined).

Results

Over half of participants (54%) received SFU as initial second-line ADM, 14% received BI, and 32% received another ADM. In multivariable models, the odds of filling SFU or BI was higher for participants in poor health than those in good or intermediate health [OR 1.13 (95% CI 1.05-1.21) and OR 2.34 (95% CI 2.14-2.55), respectively]. SFU and BI were also more commonly filled by older adults with poor glycemic control.

Conclusions

Despite clinical consensus to use caution prescribing SFU and BI among older adults in poor health, these medications remain frequently used in this particularly vulnerable population.

Using an Electronic Health Record and Deficit Accumulation to Pragmatically Identify Candidates for Optimal Prescribing in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Despite guidelines recommending less stringent glycemic goals for older adults with type 2 diabetes, overtreatment is prevalent. Pragmatic approaches for prioritizing patients for optimal prescribing are lacking. We describe glycemic control and medication patterns for older adults with type 2 diabetes in a contemporary cohort, exploring variability by frailty status.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional observational study based on electronic health record (EHR) data, within an accountable care organization (ACO) affiliated with an academic medical center/health system. Participants were ACO-enrolled adults with type 2 diabetes who were ≥65 years of age as of 1 November 2020. Frailty status was determined by an automated EHR-based frailty index (eFI). Diabetes management was described by the most recent A1C in the past 2 years and use of higher-risk medications (insulin and/or sulfonylurea).

RESULTS

Among 16,973 older adults with type 2 diabetes (mean age 75.2 years, 9,154 women [53.9%], 77.8% White), 9,134 (53.8%) and 6,218 (36.6%) were classified as pre-frail (0.10 < eFI ≤0.21) or frail (eFI >0.21), respectively. The median A1C level was 6.7% (50 mmol/mol) with an interquartile range of 6.2-7.5%, and 74.1 and 38.3% of patients had an A1C <7.5% (58 mmol/mol) and <6.5% (48 mmol/mol), respectively. Frailty status was not associated with level of glycemic control (P = 0.08). A majority of frail patients had an A1C <7.5% (58 mmol/mol) (n = 4,544, 73.1%), and among these patients, 1,755 (38.6%) were taking insulin and/or a sulfonylurea.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with insulin and/or a sulfonylurea to an A1C levels <7.5% is common in frail older adults. Tools such as the eFI may offer a scalable approach to targeting optimal prescribing interventions.

13. Older Adults: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2022

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Deintensification of Treatment With Sulfonylurea and Insulin After Severe Hypoglycemia Among Older Adults With Diabetes

Importance

Practice guidelines recommend deintensification of hypoglycemic agents among older adults with diabetes who are at high risk of hypoglycemia, yet real-world treatment deintensification practices are not well characterized.

Objective

To examine the incidence of sulfonylurea and insulin deintensification after a hypoglycemia-associated emergency department (ED) visit or hospitalization among older adults with diabetes and to identify factors associated with deintensification of treatment.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study included a random sample of 20% of nationwide fee-for-service US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older with concurrent Medicare parts A, B, and D coverage between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2017. Individuals with diabetes who had at least 1 hypoglycemia-associated ED visit or hospitalization were included. Data were analyzed from August 1, 2020, to August 1, 2021.

Exposures

Baseline medication for the treatment of diabetes (sulfonylurea, insulin, or both).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incidence of treatment deintensification (yes or no) in the 100 days after a severe hypoglycemic episode requiring an ED visit or hospitalization, with treatment deintensification defined as (1) a decrease in sulfonylurea dose, (2) a change from long-acting to short-acting sulfonylurea (glipizide), (3) discontinuation of sulfonylurea, or (4) discontinuation of insulin based on pharmacy dispensing claims.

Results

Among 76 278 distinct Medicare beneficiaries who had a hypoglycemia-associated ED visit or hospitalization, the mean (SD) age was 76.6 (7.6) years. Of 106 293 total hypoglycemic episodes requiring hospital attention, 69 084 (65.0%) occurred among women, 26 056 (24.5%) among Black individuals; 4761 (4.5%) among Hispanic individuals; 69 704 (65.6%) among White individuals; and 5772 (5.4%) among individuals of other races and ethnicities (comprising Asian, North American Native, unknown race or ethnicity, and unspecified race or ethnicity). A total of 32 074 episodes (30.2%) occurred among those receiving sulfonylurea only, 60 350 (56.8%) occurred among those receiving insulin only, and 13 869 (13.0%) occurred among those receiving both sulfonylurea and insulin. Treatment deintensification rates were highest among individuals receiving both sulfonylurea and insulin therapies at the time of their hypoglycemic episode (6677 episodes [48.1%]), followed by individuals receiving sulfonylurea only (14 192 episodes [44.2%]) and insulin only (14 495 episodes [24.0%]). Treatment deintensification rates increased between 2007 and 2017 (sulfonylurea only: from 41.4% to 49.7%; P < .001 for trend; insulin only: from 21.3% to 25.9%; P < .001 for trend; sulfonylurea and insulin: from 45.9% to 49.6%; P = .005 for trend). Lower socioeconomic status (as indicated by the receipt of low-income subsidies) was associated with lower odds of deintensification, regardless of baseline hypoglycemic regimen (sulfonylurea only: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.70-0.78]; insulin only: AOR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.68-0.75]; sulfonylurea and insulin: AOR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66-0.78]). A number of patient factors were associated with higher odds of treatment deintensification: higher frailty (eg, ≥40% probability of needing assistance with activities of daily living among those receiving sulfonylurea and insulin: AOR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.32-1.71), chronic kidney disease (eg, sulfonylurea and insulin: AOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.19-1.40), a history of falls (eg, sulfonylurea and insulin: AOR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.33), and depression (eg, sulfonylurea and insulin: AOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, deintensification of sulfonylurea and/or insulin therapy within 100 days after a hypoglycemia-associated ED visit or hospitalization occurred in fewer than 50% of older adults with diabetes; however, these deintensification rates may be increasing over time, and deintensification of insulin was likely underestimated because of challenges in capturing changes to insulin dosing using administrative claims data. These results suggest that greater efforts are needed to identify individuals at high risk of hypoglycemia to encourage appropriate treatment deintensification in accordance with current evidence.

Older Age, Polypharmacy, and Low Systolic Blood Pressure Are Associated With More Hypotension-Related Adverse Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Treated With Antihypertensives

Background and Aims: Low systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels while being treated with antihypertensives may cause hypotension-related adverse events (hrAEs), especially in the elderly, women, and frail patients. We aimed to assess the association between the occurrence of hrAEs and low SBP levels, age, sex, and polypharmacy among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treated with antihypertensives.

Methods: In this cohort study, we used the Groningen Initiative to ANalyse Type 2 diabetes Treatment (GIANTT) database which includes patients managed for T2D in primary care from the north of the Netherlands. Patients treated with ≥1 antihypertensive drug and ≥1 SBP measurement between 2012 and 2014 were included. The outcome was the presence of an hrAE, i.e. postural hypotension, dizziness, weakness/tiredness, and syncope in 90 days before or after the lowest recorded SBP level. Age (≥70 vs. <70 years), sex (women vs. men), polypharmacy (5–9 drugs or ≥10 drugs vs. <5 drugs), and SBP level (<130 or ≥130 mmHg) were included as determinants. Logistic regression analyses were conducted for age, sex and polypharmacy, including the SBP level and their interaction, adjusted for confounders. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are presented.

Results: We included 21,119 patients, 49% of which were ≥70 years old, 52% were women, 57% had polypharmacy, 61% had an SBP level <130 mmHg and 5.4% experienced an hrAE. Patients with an SBP level <130 mmHg had a significantly higher occurrence of hrAEs than patients with a higher SBP level (6.2 vs. 4.0%; ORs 1.41, 95%CI 1.14–1.75, 1.43, 95%CI 1.17–1.76 and 1.33, 95%CI 1.06–1.67 by age, sex, and polypharmacy, respectively). Older patients (OR 1.29, 95%CI 1.02–1.64) and patients with polypharmacy (OR 5–9 drugs 1.27, 95%CI 1.00–1.62; OR ≥10 drugs 2.37, 95% CI 1.67–3.37) were more likely to experience an hrAE. The association with sex and the interactions between the determinants and SBP level were not significant.

Conclusion: Low SBP levels in patients with T2D treated with antihypertensives is associated with an increase in hrAEs. Older patients and those with polypharmacy are particularly at risk of hrAEs. Age, sex, and polypharmacy did not modify the risk of hrAEs associated with a low SBP level.

Clinical outcomes of modifying hypertension treatment intensity in older adults treated to low blood pressure

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Hypertension treatment reduces cardiovascular events. However, uncertainty remains about benefits and harms of deintensification or further intensification of antihypertensive medication when systolic blood pressure (SBP) is tightly controlled in older multimorbid patients, because of their frequent exclusion in trials. We assessed the association of hypertension treatment deintensification or intensification with clinical outcomes in older adults with tightly controlled SBP.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study (2011-2013) with 9-month follow-up.

SETTING

U.S.-nationwide primary care Veterans Health Administration healthcare system.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans aged 65 and older with baseline SBP <130 mmHg and ≥1 antihypertensive medication during ≥2 consecutive visits (N = 228,753).

EXPOSURE

Deintensification or intensification, compared with stable treatment.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Cardiovascular events, syncope, or fall injury, as composite and distinct outcomes, within 9 months after exposure. Adjusted logistic regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW, sensitivity analysis).

RESULTS

Among 228,753 patients (mean age 75 [SD 7.5] years), the composite outcome occurred in 11,982/93,793 (12.8%) patients with stable treatment, 14,768/72,672 (20.3%) with deintensification, and 11,821/62,288 (19.0%) with intensification. Adjusted absolute outcome risk (95% confidence interval) was higher for deintensification (18.3% [18.1%-18.6%]) and intensification (18.7% [18.4%-19.0%]), compared with stable treatment (14.8% [14.6%-15.0%]), p < 0.001 for both effects in the multivariable model). Deintensification was associated with fewer cardiovascular events than intensification. At baseline SBP <95 mmHg, cardiovascular event risk was similar for deintensification and stable treatment, and fall risk lower for deintensification than intensification. IPTW yielded similar results. Mean follow-up SBP was 124.1 mmHg for stable treatment, 125.1 mmHg after deintensification (p < 0.001), and 124.0 mmHg after intensification (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Antihypertensive treatment deintensification in older patients with tightly controlled SBP was associated with worse outcomes than continuing same treatment intensity. Given higher mortality among patients with treatment modification, confounding by indication may not have been fully corrected by advanced statistical methods for observational data analysis.

Deprescribing Blood Pressure Treatment in Long-Term Care Residents

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the incidence of deprescribing of antihypertensive medication among older adults residing in Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes for long-term care and rates of deprescribing after potentially triggering events.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Long-term care residents aged 65 years and older admitted to a VA nursing home from 2006 to 2019 and using blood pressure medication at admission.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the VA electronic health record, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Minimum Data Set and Bar Code Medication Administration. Deprescribing was defined on a rolling basis as a reduction in the number or dose of antihypertensive medications, sustained for ≥2 weeks. We examined potentially triggering events for deprescribing, including low blood pressure (<90/60 mmHg), acute renal impairment (creatinine increase of 50%), electrolyte imbalance (potassium below 3.5 mEq/L, sodium decrease by 5 mEq/L), and falls.

RESULTS

Among 31,499 VA nursing home residents on antihypertensive medication, 70.4% had ≥1 deprescribing event (median length of stay = 6 months), and 48.7% had a net reduction in antihypertensive medications over their stay. Deprescribing events were most common in the first 4 weeks after admission and the last 4 weeks of life. Among potentially triggering events, a 50% increase in serum creatinine was associated with the greatest increase in the likelihood of deprescribing over the subsequent 4 weeks: residents with this event had a 41.7% chance of being deprescribed compared with 11.5% in those who did not (risk difference = 30.3%, P < .001). A fall in the past 30 days was associated with the smallest magnitude increased risk of deprescribing (risk difference = 3.8%, P < .001) of the events considered.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Deprescribing of antihypertensive medications is common among VA nursing home residents, especially after a potential renal adverse event.

Older people's attitudes towards deprescribing cardiometabolic medication

BACKGROUND

Overtreatment with cardiometabolic medication in older patients can lead to major adverse events. Timely deprescribing of these medications is therefore essential. Self-reported willingness to stop medication is usually high among older people, still overtreatment with cardiometabolic medication is common and deprescribing is rarely initiated. An important barrier for deprescribing reported by general practitioners is the patients' unwillingness to stop the medication. More insights are needed into the influence of patients' characteristics on their attitudes towards deprescribing and differences in these attitudes between cardiometabolic medication groups.

METHODS

A survey in older people using cardiometabolic medication using the revised Patients' Attitudes Towards Deprescribing (rPATD) questionnaire was performed. Participants completed the general rPATD and an adapted version for four medication groups. Linear and ordinal logistic regression were used to assess the influence of age, sex, therapeutic area and number of medications used on the patients' general attitudes towards deprescribing. Univariate analysis was used to compare differences in deprescribing attitudes towards sulfonylureas, insulins, antihypertensive medication and statins.

RESULTS

Overall, 314 out of 1143 invited participants completed the survey (median age 76 years, 54% female). Most participants (80%) were satisfied with their medication and willing to stop medications if their doctor said it was possible (88%). Age, sex and therapeutic area had no influence on the general attitudes towards deprescribing. Taking more than ten medicines was significantly associated with a higher perceived medication burden. Antihypertensive medication and insulin were considered more appropriate than statins, and insulin was considered more appropriate than sulfonylureas not favouring deprescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of older people using cardiometabolic medication are willing to stop one of their medicines if their doctor said it was possible. Health care providers should take into account that patients perceive some of their medication as more appropriate than other medication when discussing deprescribing.

Evaluation of clinical and antidiabetic treatment characteristics of different sub-groups of patients with type 2 diabetes: Data from a Mediterranean population database

AIMS

To describe the characteristics and antidiabetic treatment among type 2 diabetes patients according to the clinical conditions prioritized in the Spanish 2020 RedGDPS (Primary Care Diabetes Study Groups Network) therapeutic algorithm: obesity, older than 75 years, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and heart failure.

METHODS

Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Clinical characteristics, the use of antidiabetic drugs and the KDIGO renal risk categories at 31.12.2016 were retrieved from the SIDIAP (Information System for Research in Primary Care) database (Catalonia, Spain).

RESULTS

From a total of 373,185 type 2 diabetes patients, 37% were older than 75 years, 45% obese, 33% had chronic kidney disease, 23.2% cardiovascular disease and 6.9% heart failure. Insulin was more frequently prescribed in chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and heart failure whereas Sodium-Glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and Glucagon Like Peptide 1 receptor agonists were scarcely prescribed (2.6% and 1.4%, respectively). Among patients with severe renal failure, contraindicated drugs like metformin (16%) and sulfonylureas (6.1%) were still in use. The 2012 KDIGO renal risk categories distribution was: Low: 60.9%, Moderate: 21.6%, High: 9.8% and Very high: 7.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost 80% of our T2DM patients meet one of the five clinical conditions that should be considered for treatment individualization. Importantly, a relevant number of patients with severe renal failure were found to use contraindicated drugs.

Estimates of insulin needs and dispensation given wastage, alternative glycemic targets, and non-insulin therapies in US populations with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A microsimulation study

AIMS

Registries and health plans estimate insulin need for population health metrics. We sought to identify how such estimates affect population- and individual-level estimates of over- and under-treatment.

METHODS

We developed a microsimulation comparing estimated insulin need to dispensation using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES, 2005-2016, N= 2832) and Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS, 2005-2016, N = 29,615).

RESULTS

From NHANES, ~21.6% of people with type 2 diabetes would require insulin to achieve a HbA1c target of 7% after maximum titration of two non-insulins (60.7 IU/person/day, or 84,629,833 vials of 1000 IU in the US). From MEPS, we observed 57.4 IU/person/day of insulin dispensed (81,585,842 vials). About 29% of people were dispensed at least two standard deviations less than their estimated need, and 22% at least two standard deviations more than estimated need. Population-level need estimates reduced 39.4% if liberalizing HbA1c targets to 8% for people ≥75 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Estimated insulin needs of people with type 2 diabetes in the U.S. are consistent with their dispensed insulin at the population level, but are sensitive to HbA1c targets for older adults, and conceal under- and over-treated subpopulations.

Rates, determinants and success of implementing deprescribing in people with type 2 diabetes: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Individualizing goals for people with type 2 diabetes may result in deintensification of medication, but a comprehensive picture of deprescribing practices is lacking.

AIMS

To conduct a scoping review in order to assess the rates, determinants and success of implementing deprescribing of glucose-, blood pressure- or lipid-lowering medications in people with diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic search on MEDLINE and Embase between January 2007 and January 2019 was carried out for deprescribing studies among people with diabetes. Outcomes were rates of deprescribing related to participant characteristics, the determinants and success of deprescribing, and its implementation. Critical appraisal was conducted using predefined tools.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies were included; eight reported on rates, nine on determinants and six on success and implementation. Bias was high for studies on success of deprescribing. Deprescribing rates ranged from 14% to 27% in older people with low HbA_1c levels, and from 16% to 19% in older people with low systolic blood pressure. Rates were not much affected by age, gender, frailty or life expectancy. Rates were higher when a reminder system was used to identify people with hypoglycaemia, which led to less overtreatment and fewer hypoglycaemic events. Most healthcare professionals accepted the concept of deprescribing but differed on when to conduct it. Deprescribing glucose-lowering medications could be successfully conducted in 62% to 75% of participants with small rises in HbA_1c .

CONCLUSIONS

Deprescribing of glucose-lowering medications seems feasible and acceptable, but was not widely implemented in the covered period. Support systems may enhance deprescribing. More studies on deprescribing blood pressure- and lipid-lowering medications in people with diabetes are needed.

12. Older Adults: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2021

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) "Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes" includes the ADA's current clinical practice recommendations and is intended to provide the components of diabetes care, general treatment goals and guidelines, and tools to evaluate quality of care. Members of the ADA Professional Practice Committee, a multidisciplinary expert committee (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SPPC), are responsible for updating the Standards of Care annually, or more frequently as warranted. For a detailed description of ADA standards, statements, and reports, as well as the evidence-grading system for ADA's clinical practice recommendations, please refer to the Standards of Care Introduction (https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-SINT). Readers who wish to comment on the Standards of Care are invited to do so at professional.diabetes.org/SOC.

Deprescription in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS

The Primary aim is to verify physicians' adherence to the 2016 Italian diabetes guidelines therapeutic targets, and their habits on deprescription in elderly persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Secondary aims are the assessment of the potential impact of the targets' changes in 2018 Italian guidelines, and the outcomes of deprescription in the management of T2DM.

METHODS

Observational retrospective cohort study, enrolling persons with T2DM, aged > 75 years, who attended a visit throughout 2017, and a second visit 6 months later in our outpatient clinic.

RESULTS

Of the 387 patients included, 336 (87, 8%) were on target, according to 2016 guidelines. Deprescription was advisable in 62% of patients on target. Among those, 22% were deprescribed. In patients undergoing deprescription, during the following 6 months, no severe hypoglycemia occurred (versus 5 cases in the prior 6 months). Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) increased (p < 0.05) from 47.0 [41.7-51.0] to 53.0 [45.4-59.5] mmol/mol). Applying to the sample the 2018 Italian Guidelines targets, 57.2% would have been on target, 18.5% above, and 24.3% below (needing deprescription).

CONCLUSION

In our study, a minority of suitable patients received deprescription. Deprescription led to a significant reduction in severe hypoglycemia rate, whereas HbA1c remained on target in the majority of cases.

Development and evaluation of a patient-centered quality indicator for the appropriateness of type 2 diabetes management

INTRODUCTION

Current diabetes quality measures are agnostic to patient clinical complexity and type of treatment required to achieve it. Our objective was to introduce a patient-centered indicator of appropriate diabetes therapy indicator (ADTI), designed for patients with type 2 diabetes, which is based on hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) but is also contextualized by patient complexity and treatment intensity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A draft indicator was iteratively refined by a multidisciplinary Delphi panel using existing quality measures, guidelines, and published literature. ADTI performance was then assessed using OptumLabs Data Warehouse data for 2015. Included adults (n=206 279) with type 2 diabetes were categorized as clinically complex based on comorbidities, then categorized as treated appropriately, overtreated, or undertreated based on a matrix of clinical complexity, HbA1c level, and medications used. Associations between ADTI and emergency department/hospital visits for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia were assessed by calculating event rates for each treatment intensity subset.

RESULTS

Overall, 7.4% of patients with type 2 diabetes were overtreated and 21.1% were undertreated. Patients with high complexity were more likely to be overtreated (OR 5.60, 95% CI 5.37 to 5.83) and less likely to be undertreated (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.68) than patients with low complexity. Overtreated patients had higher rates of hypoglycemia than appropriately treated patients (22.0 vs 6.2 per 1000 people/year), whereas undertreated patients had higher rates of hyperglycemia (8.4 vs 1.9 per 1000 people/year).

CONCLUSIONS

The ADTI may facilitate timely, patient-centered treatment intensification/deintensification with the goal of achieving safer evidence-based care.

Identifying Recommendations for Stopping or Scaling Back Unnecessary Routine Services in Primary Care

IMPORTANCE

Much of health care involves established, routine use of medical services for chronic conditions or prevention. Stopping these services when the evidence changes or if the benefits no longer outweigh the risks is essential. Yet, most guidelines focus on escalating care and provide few explicit recommendations to stop or scale back (ie, deintensify) treatment and testing.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a systematic, transparent, and reproducible approach for identifying, specifying, and validating deintensification recommendations associated with routine adult primary care.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A focused review of existing guidelines and recommendations was completed to identify and prioritize potential deintensification indications. Then, 2 modified virtual Delphi expert panels examined the synthesized evidence, suggested ways that the candidate recommendations could be improved, and assessed the validity of the recommendations using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method. Twenty-five physicians from Veterans Affairs and US academic institutions with knowledge in relevant clinical areas (eg, geriatrics, primary care, women's health, cardiology, and endocrinology) served as panel members.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Validity of the recommendations, defined as high-quality evidence that deintensification is likely to improve patient outcomes, evidence that intense testing and/or treatment could cause harm in some patients, absence of evidence on the benefit of continued or repeated intense treatment or testing, and evidence that deintensification is consistent with high-quality care.

RESULTS

A total of 409 individual recommendations were identified representing 178 unique opportunities to stop or scale back routine services (eg, stopping population-based screening for vitamin D deficiency and decreasing concurrent use of opioids and benzodiazepines). Thirty-seven recommendations were prioritized and forwarded to the expert panels. Panelists reviewed the evidence and suggested modifications, resulting in 44 recommendations being rated. Overall, 37 recommendations (84%) were considered to be valid, as assessed by the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, a total of 178 unique opportunities to deintensify routine primary care services were identified, and 37 of these were validated as high-priority deintensification recommendations. To date, this is the first study to develop a model for identifying, specifying, and validating deintensification recommendations that can be implemented and tracked in clinical practice.

Evaluation of Low-Value Diagnostic Testing for 4 Common Conditions in the Veterans Health Administration

IMPORTANCE

Low-value care is associated with harm among patients and with wasteful health care spending but has not been well characterized in the Veterans Health Administration.

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the frequency of and variation in low-value diagnostic testing for 4 common conditions at Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) and to examine the correlation between receipt of low-value testing for each condition.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This retrospective cohort study used Veterans Health Administration data from 127 VAMCs from fiscal years 2014 to 2015. Data were analyzed from April 2018 to March 2020.

EXPOSURES

Continuous enrollment in Veterans Health Administration during fiscal year 2015.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Receipt of low-value testing for low back pain, headache, syncope, and sinusitis. For each condition, sensitive and specific criteria were used to evaluate the overall frequency and range of low-value testing, adjusting for sociodemographic and VAMC characteristics. VAMC-level variation was calculated using median adjusted odds ratios. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the degree of correlation between low-value testing for each condition at the VAMC level.

RESULTS

Among 1 022 987 veterans, the mean (SD) age was 60 (16) years, 1 008 336 (92.4%) were male, and 761 485 (69.8%) were non-Hispanic White. A total of 343 024 veterans (31.4%) were diagnosed with low back pain, 79 176 (7.3%) with headache, 23 776 (2.2%) with syncope, and 52 889 (4.8%) with sinusitis. With the sensitive criteria, overall and VAMC-level low-value testing frequency varied substantially across conditions: 4.6% (range, 2.7%-10.1%) for sinusitis, 12.8% (range, 8.6%-22.6%) for headache, 18.2% (range, 10.9%-24.6%) for low back pain, and 20.1% (range, 16.3%-27.7%) for syncope. With the specific criteria, the overall frequency of low-value testing across VAMCs was 2.4% (range, 1.3%-5.1%) for sinusitis, 8.6% (range, 6.2%-14.6%) for headache, 5.6% (range, 3.6%-7.7%) for low back pain, and 13.3% (range, 11.3%-16.8%) for syncope. The median adjusted odds ratio ranged from 1.21 for low back pain to 1.40 for sinusitis. At the VAMC level, low-value testing was most strongly correlated for syncope and headache (ρ = 0.56; P < .001) and low back pain and headache (ρ = 0.48; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study, low-value diagnostic testing was common, varied substantially across VAMCs, and was correlated between veterans' receipt of different low-value tests at the VAMC level. The findings suggest a need to address low-value diagnostic testing, even in integrated health systems, with robust utilization management practices.

Barriers and Enablers of Older Patients to Deprescribing of Cardiometabolic Medication: A Focus Group Study

Background

Deprescribing has been recommended for managing polypharmacy but deprescribing preventive medication in older patients is still uncommon. We aimed to investigate older patients’ barriers to and enablers of deprescribing cardiometabolic medication.

Methods

Two focus groups were conducted among patients ≥70 years with polypharmacy, including cardiometabolic medication. Purposive sampling through four community pharmacies was used in two regions in the Netherlands. A topic list was developed using literature and the theoretical domains framework (TDF). The meetings were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using thematic coding, attribute coding and the TDF. In addition, patients were categorized on attitudes towards medication and willingness to stop.

Results

The meetings were attended by 17 patients and 1 caregiver (71 to 84 years). In total 15 barriers and 13 enablers were identified within four themes, partly related to beliefs, fears and experiences regarding using or stopping medication, and partly related to the relationship with the health care professional and the conditions to stop. Some patients attributed their wellbeing to their medication and were therefore unwilling to stop. Reducing cardiometabolic medication because of less strict treatment targets confused some patients and was a barrier to deprescribing. Having options to monitor clinical measurements and restart medication were enablers. Patients were only willing to stop cardiometabolic medication when this was proposed by a HCP they trusted. Patients with a positive attitude towards medication varied in their willingness to stop cardiometabolic medication. Patients with a negative attitude towards medication were generally willing to stop medication but still perceived several barriers and may consider some medication as being essential.

Conclusion

Fears, beliefs, and experiences regarding using and stopping medication as well as trust in the HCP influence willingness to have medication deprescribed. Attitudes towards medication in general do not necessarily translate into willingness or unwillingness to stop specific medication. For deprescribing cardiometabolic medication, patient involvement when setting new treatment targets and monitoring the effects on short-term outcomes are important.

Antihypertensive Deprescribing in Older Adult Veterans at End of Life Admitted to Veteran Affairs Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES

Geriatric palliative care approaches support deprescribing of antihypertensives in older nursing home (NH) residents with limited life expectancy and/or advanced dementia (LLE/AD) who are intensely treated for hypertension (HTN), but information on real-world deprescribing patterns in this population is limited. We examined the incidence and factors associated with antihypertensive deprescribing.

DESIGN

National, retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Older Veterans with LLE/AD and HTN admitted to VA NHs in fiscal years 2009-2015 with potential overtreatment of HTN at admission, defined as receiving at least 1 antihypertensive class of medications and mean daily systolic blood pressure (SBP) <120 mm Hg.

MEASURES

Deprescribing was defined as subsequent dose reduction or discontinuation of an antihypertensive for ≥7 days. Competing risk models assessed cumulative incidence and factors associated with deprescribing.

RESULTS

Within our sample (n = 10,574), cumulative incidence of deprescribing at 30 days was 41%. Veterans with the greatest level of overtreatment (ie, multiple antihypertensives and SBP <100 mm Hg) had an increased likelihood (hazard ratio 1.75, 95% confidence interval 1.59, 1.93) of deprescribing vs those with the lowest level of overtreatment (ie, one antihypertensive and SBP ≥100 to <120 mm Hg). Several markers of poor prognosis (ie, recent weight loss, poor appetite, dehydration, dependence for activities of daily living, pain) and later admission year were associated with increased likelihood of deprescribing, whereas cardiovascular risk factors (ie, diabetes, congestive heart failure, obesity), shortness of breath, and admission source from another NH or home/assisted living setting (vs acute hospital) were associated with decreased likelihood.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Real-world deprescribing patterns of antihypertensives among NH residents with HTN and LLE/AD appear to reflect variation in recommendations for HTN treatment intensity and individualization of patient care in a population with potential overtreatment. Factors facilitating deprescribing included treatment intensity and markers of poor prognosis. Comparative effectiveness and safety studies are needed to guide clinical decisions around deprescribing and HTN management.

Validation of a Health System Measure to Capture Intensive Medication Treatment of Hypertension in the Veterans Health Administration

IMPORTANCE

Blood pressure (BP) targets are the main measure of high-quality hypertension care in health systems. However, BP alone does not reflect intensity of pharmacological treatment, which should be carefully managed in older patients.

OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate an electronic health record (EHR) data-only algorithm using pharmacy and BP data to capture intensive hypertension care (IHC), defined as 3 or more BP medications and BP less than 120 mm Hg, and to identify conditions associated with greater IHC, either through greater algorithm false-positive IHC, or by contributing clinically to delivering more IHC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 randomly selected patients aged 65 years or older receiving IHC from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2013. Data were collected from a total of 3625 primary care visits. Data were analyzed from January 2017 to March 2020.

EXPOSURES

Calibration and measurement of the algorithm for IHC (algorithm IHC).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

For each primary care visit, the reference standard, clinical IHC, was determined by detailed review of free-text clinical notes. The correlation in BP medication count between the EHR-only algorithm vs the reference standard and the sensitivity and specificity of the algorithm IHC were calculated. In addition, presence vs absence of contributing conditions acting in combination with hypertension management were measured to examine incidence of IHC associated with contributing conditions, including an acute condition that lowered BP (eg, dehydration), another condition requiring a BP target lower than the standard 140 mm Hg (eg, diabetes), or the patient needing a BP-lowering medication for a nonhypertension condition (eg, β-blocker for atrial fibrillation) resulting in low BP.

RESULTS

Among 319 patients with 3625 visits (mean [SD] age, 75.6 [7.2] years; 3592 [99.1%] men), 911 visits (25.1%) had clinical IHC by the reference standard. The algorithm for determining medication count was highly correlated with the reference standard (r = 0.84). Sensitivity of detecting clinical IHC was 92.2% (95% CI, 89.3%-95.1%), and specificity was 97.2% (95% CI, 96.1%-98.3%), suggesting that clinical IHC can be identified from routinely collected data. Only 75 visits (2.1%) were algorithm IHC false positives, 55 visits (1.5%) involved IHC with contributing conditions, and 125 visits (3.5%) involved either false-positive or IHC with contributing conditions. Among select contributing conditions, congestive heart failure (37 patients [5.2%]) was most associated with a prespecified combined false-positive or IHC with contributing conditions rate higher than 5%.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

These findings suggest that health system data can be used reliably to estimate IHC.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Overtreatment and Deintensification of Antidiabetic and Antihypertensive Medications in Diabetes Mellitus: The TEMD Overtreatment Study

INTRODUCTION

Targeting better glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood pressure (BP) goals may endanger older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Overtreatment of T2DM and hypertension is a trending issue, although undertreatment is still common. We investigated the rates and predictors of overtreatment and undertreatment of glycemia and BP in older adults with T2DM and physicians' attitudes to deintensify or intensify treatment.

METHODS

Data from older adults (≥ 65 years) enrolled in a large nationwide T2DM survey in 2017 across Turkey were analyzed. Overtreatment of glycemia was defined as HbA1c < 6.5% plus the use of ≥ 2 oral antihyperglycemics or insulin, and BP overtreatment was defined as systolic BP (SBP) < 120 mmHg or diastolic BP (DBP) < 65 mmHg plus the use of ≥ 2 drugs. Undertreatment of glycemia was defined as HbA1c > 9%, and BP undertreatment was defined as SBP > 150 mmHg or DBP > 90 mmHg. Deintensification or intensification rates were calculated according to treatment modification initiated by the treating physician(s).

RESULTS

The rate of overtreatment in the glycemia group (n = 1264) was 9.8% (n = 124) and that in the BP group (n = 1052) was 7.3% (n = 77), whereas the rate of undertreatment was 14.2% (n = 180) and 15.2% (n = 160), respectively. In the adjusted model, use of oral secretagogues (sulfonylureas or glinides) (odds ratio [OR] 1.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-3.1) and follow-up at a private clinic (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.0-3.3) were predictors of glycemia overtreatment. BP overtreatment was independently associated with the use insulin-based diabetes therapies (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.14-3.04). There was no independent association of BP undertreatment to the study confounders. The deintensification and intensification rates were 25 and 75.6%, respectively, for glycemia and 10.9 and 9.2%, respectively, for BP.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that one in ten older adults with T2DM are overtreated while one in four require modification of their current antihyperglycemic and antihypertensive treatments. Physicians are eager to intensify medications while they largely ignore deintensification in diabetes management. These results warrant enforced measures to improve the care of older adults with T2DM.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03455101.

Uses and Limitations of the Restricted Mean Survival Time: Illustrative Examples From Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality Trials in Type 2 Diabetes

The restricted mean survival time (RMST) has been advocated as an alternative or a supplement to the hazard ratio for reporting the effect of an intervention in a randomized clinical trial. The RMST difference allows quantification of the postponement of an outcome during a specified (restricted) interval and corresponds to the difference between the areas under the 2 survival curves for the intervention and control groups. This article presents examples of the use of the RMST in a research and a clinical context. First, the authors demonstrate how the RMST difference can answer research questions about the efficacy of different treatments. Estimates are presented for the effects of pharmacologic or strategy-driven glucose-lowering interventions for adults with type 2 diabetes from 36 trials and 9 follow-up studies reporting cardiovascular outcomes and mortality. The authors show how these measures may be used to mitigate uncertainty about the efficacy of intensive glucose control. Second, the authors demonstrate how the RMST difference may be used in the setting of a clinical consultation to guide the decision to start or discontinue a treatment. They then discuss the advantages of the RMST over the absolute risk difference, the number needed to treat, and the median survival time difference. They argue that the RMST difference is both easy to interpret and flexible in its application to different settings. Finally, they highlight the major limitations of the RMST, including difficulties in comparing studies of heterogeneous designs and in inferring the long-term effects of treatments using trials of short duration, and summarize the available statistical software for calculating the RMST.

Diabetes Mellitus-Related All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in a National Cohort of Adults

Background Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) and has been associated with 2- to 4-fold higher mortality. Diabetes mellitus-related mortality has not been reassessed in individuals receiving routine care in the United States in the contemporary era of CVD risk reduction. Methods and Results We retrospectively studied 963 648 adults receiving care in the US Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from 2002 to 2014; mean follow-up was 8 years. We estimated associations of diabetes mellitus status and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with all-cause and CVD mortality using covariate-adjusted incidence rates and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. Of participants, 34% had diabetes mellitus. Compared with nondiabetic individuals, patients with diabetes mellitus had 7.0 (95% CI , 6.7-7.4) and 3.5 (95% CI, 3.3-3.7) deaths/1000-person-years higher all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively. The age-, sex-, race-, and ethnicity-adjusted hazard ratio for diabetes mellitus-related mortality was 1.29 (95% CI, 1.28-1.31), and declined with adjustment for CVD risk factors (hazard ratio, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.16-1.19]) and glycemia (hazard ratio, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.02-1.05]). Among individuals with diabetes mellitus, CVD mortality increased as HbA1c exceeded 7% (hazard ratios, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.08-1.14], 1.25 [95% CI, 1.22-1.29], and 1.52 [95% CI, 1.48-1.56] for HbA1c 7%-7.9%, 8%-8.9%, and ≥9%, respectively, relative to HbA1c 6%-6.9%). HbA1c 6% to 6.9% was associated with the lowest mortality risk irrespective of CVD history or age. Conclusions Diabetes mellitus remains significantly associated with all-cause and CVD mortality, although diabetes mellitus-related excess mortality is lower in the contemporary era than previously. We observed a gradient of mortality risk with increasing HbA1c >6% to 6.9%, suggesting HbA1c remains an informative predictor of outcomes even if causality cannot be inferred.

Prevalence of Diabetes Medication Intensifications in Older Adults Discharged From US Veterans Health Administration Hospitals

Importance

Elevated blood glucose levels are common in hospitalized older adults and may lead clinicians to intensify outpatient diabetes medications at discharge, risking potential overtreatment when patients return home.

Objective

To assess how often hospitalized older adults are discharged with intensified diabetes medications and the likelihood of benefit associated with these intensifications.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study examined patients aged 65 years and older with diabetes not previously requiring insulin. The study included patients who were hospitalized in a Veterans Health Administration hospital for common medical conditions between 2011 and 2013.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Intensification of outpatient diabetes medications, defined as receiving a new or higher-dose medication at discharge than was being taken prior to hospitalization. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were used to control for patient and hospitalization characteristics.

Results

Of 16 178 patients (mean [SD] age, 73 [8] years; 15 895 [98%] men), 8535 (53%) had a preadmission hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level less than 7.0%, and 1044 (6%) had an HbA1c level greater than 9.0%. Overall, 1626 patients (10%) were discharged with intensified diabetes medications including 781 (5%) with new insulins and 557 (3%) with intensified sulfonylureas. Nearly half of patients receiving intensifications (49% [791 of 1626]) were classified as being unlikely to benefit owing to limited life expectancy or already being at goal HbA1c, while 20% (329 of 1626) were classified as having potential to benefit. Both preadmission HbA1c level and inpatient blood glucose recordings were associated with discharge with intensified diabetes medications. Among patients with a preadmission HbA1c level less than 7.0%, the predicted probability of receiving an intensification was 4% (95% CI, 3%-4%) for patients without elevated inpatient blood glucose levels and 21% (95% CI, 15%-26%) for patients with severely elevated inpatient blood glucose levels.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this study, 1 in 10 older adults with diabetes hospitalized for common medical conditions was discharged with intensified diabetes medications. Nearly half of these individuals were unlikely to benefit owing to limited life expectancy or already being at their HbA1c goal.

Deintensification of Diabetes Medications among Veterans at the End of Life in VA Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES

Many older adults with limited life expectancy and/or advanced dementia (LLE/AD) are potentially overtreated for diabetes and may benefit from deintensification. Our aim was to examine the incidence and predictors of diabetes medication deintensification in older Veterans with LLE/AD who were potentially overtreated at admission to Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes (community living centers [CLCs]).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using linked VA and Medicare clinical/administrative data and Minimum Data Set assessments.

SETTING

VA CLCs.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 6960 Veterans with diabetes and LLE/AD admitted to VA CLCs in fiscal years 2009 to 2015 with hemoglobin (Hb)A1c measured within 90 days of admission.

MEASUREMENTS

We evaluated treatment deintensification (discontinuation or dose reduction for a consecutive 7-day period) among residents who were potentially overtreated (HbA1c ≤7.5% and receiving hypoglycemic medications). Competing risk models assessed 90-day cumulative incidence of deintensification.

RESULTS

More than 40% (n = 3056) of Veteran CLC residents with diabetes were potentially overtreated. The cumulative incidence of deintensification at 90 days was 45.5%. Higher baseline HbA1c values were associated with a lower likelihood of deintensification (e.g., HbA1c 7.0-7.5% vs <6.0%; adjusted risk ratio [aRR] = .57; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .50-.66). Compared with non-sulfonylurea oral agents (e.g., metformin), other treatment regimens were more likely to be deintensified (aRR = 1.31-1.88), except for basal insulin (aRR = .59; 95% CI = .52-.66). The only resident factor associated with increased likelihood of deintensification was documented end-of-life status (aRR = 1.12; 95% CI = 1.01-1.25). Admission from home/assisted living (aRR = .85; 95% CI = .75-.96), obesity (aRR = .88; 95% CI = .78-.99), and peripheral vascular disease (aRR = .90; 95% CI = .81-.99) were associated with decreased likelihood of deintensification.

CONCLUSION

Deintensification of treatment regimens occurred in less than one-half of potentially overtreated Veterans and was more strongly associated with low HbA1c values and use of medications with high risk for hypoglycemia, rather than other resident characteristics. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:736-745, 2020.

Paradox of glycemic management: multimorbidity, glycemic control, and high-risk medication use among adults with diabetes

INTRODUCTION

Glycemic targets and glucose-lowering regimens should be individualized based on multiple factors, including the presence of comorbidities. We examined contemporary patterns of glycemic control and use of medications known to cause hypoglycemia among adults with diabetes across age and multimorbidity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We retrospectively examined glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) levels and rates of insulin/sulfonylurea use as a function of age and multimorbidity using administrative claims and laboratory data for adults with type 2 diabetes included in OptumLabs Data Warehouse, 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Comorbidity burden was assessed by counts of any of 16 comorbidities specified by guidelines as warranting relaxation of HbA_1c targets, classified as being diabetes concordant (diabetes complications or risk factors), discordant (unrelated to diabetes), or advanced (life limiting).

RESULTS

Among 194 157 patients with type 2 diabetes included in the study, 45.2% had only concordant comorbidities, 30.6% concordant and discordant, 2.7% only discordant, and 13.0% had ≥1 advanced comorbidity. Mean HbA_1c was 7.7% among 18-44 year-olds versus 6.9% among ≥75 year-olds, and was higher among patients with comorbidities: 7.3% with concordant only, 7.1% with discordant only, 7.1% with concordant and discordant, and 7.0% with advanced comorbidities compared with 7.4% among patients without comorbidities. The odds of insulin use decreased with age (OR 0.51 (95% CI 0.48 to 0.54) for age ≥75 vs 18-44 years) but increased with accumulation of concordant (OR 5.50 (95% CI 5.22 to 5.79) for ≥3 vs none), discordant (OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.60 to 1.86) for ≥3 vs none), and advanced (OR 1.45 (95% CI 1.25 to 1.68) for ≥2 vs none) comorbidities. Conversely, sulfonylurea use increased with age (OR 1.36 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.44) for age ≥75 vs 18-44 years) but decreased with accumulation of concordant (OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.79) for ≥3 vs none), discordant (OR 0.70 (95% CI 0.64 to 0.76) for ≥3 vs none), but not advanced (OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.74 to 1.01) for ≥2 vs none) comorbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of patients achieving low HbA_1c levels was highest among older and multimorbid patients. Older patients and patients with higher comorbidity burden were more likely to be treated with insulin to achieve these HbA_1c levels despite potential for hypoglycemia and uncertain long-term benefit.

Increasing Individual Target Glucose Levels to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is one of the severe complications of diabetes. To prevent hypoglycemia, an emphasis is placed on maintaining an appropriate balance between nutrition, activity, and treatment, which can be achieved by the repetition of self-trials based on self-monitoring. Clinicians routinely focus on patients’ contribution, including timely intake of an adequate amount of carbohydrates, physical activity, antidiabetic medication, and abstinence from alcohol. Recently, many guidelines have highlighted the importance of clinicians’ factors and recommend individualized treatments according to lifestyle patterns and specific needs following the de-intensification of treatment. The optimal value of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels for blood glucose level regulation remains controversial among countries, but it generally does not exceed 8.0%. In populations that are at a risk of hypoglycemia, such as the older adults, it is advisable to adjust the target blood glucose level to less than 8.0%. Meanwhile, a blood glucose level of 7.0%–7.5% is generally recommended for healthy older adults. If the expected lifetime is shorter than 10 years or in patients with chronic kidney disease and severe cardiovascular disease, the HbA1c level target can be increased to 7.5%–8.0%. For even shorter lifetime expectancy, the target can be adjusted up to 8.0%–9.0%. To prevent hypoglycemia, the target blood glucose level needs to be adjusted, particularly in older adult patients. Ultimately, it is important to identify the maximum blood glucose levels that do not cause hypoglycemia and the minimum blood glucose levels that do not cause hyperglycemia-associated complications.

Association between On-Treatment Haemoglobin A1c and All-Cause Mortality in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: Importance of Personalized Goals and Type of Anti-Hyperglycaemic Treatment

The increased mortality reported with intensive glycaemic control has been attributed to an increased risk of treatment-related hypoglycaemia. This study investigated the relationships of haemoglobin (Hb) A_1c, anti-hyperglycaemic treatment, and potential risks of adverse effects with all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes. Patients (n = 15,773) were stratified into four categories according to baseline HbA_1c and then assigned to three target categories, based on whether HbA_1c was ≤0.5% below or above (on-target), >0.5% below (below-target) or >0.5% above (above-target) their HbA_1c goal, personalized according to the number of potential risks among age > 70 years, diabetes duration > 10 years, advanced complication(s), and severe comorbidity (ies). The vital status was retrieved for 15,656 patients (99.26%). Over a 7.4-year follow-up, mortality risk was increased among patients in the highest HbA_1c category (≥8.5%) (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.22–1.47), p < 0.001) and those above-target (1.42 (1.29–1.57), p < 0.001). Risk was increased among individuals in the lowest HbA_1c category (<6.5%) and those below-target only if treated with agents causing hypoglycaemia (1.16 (1.03–1.29), p = 0.01 and 1.10 (1.01–1.22), p = 0.04, respectively). These data suggest the importance of setting both upper and lower personalized HbA_1c goals to avoid overtreatment in high-risk individuals with type 2 diabetes treated with agents causing hypoglycaemia.

Association of Cumulative Multimorbidity, Glycemic Control, and Medication Use With Hypoglycemia-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations Among Adults With Diabetes

IMPORTANCE

Severe hypoglycemia is a serious and potentially preventable complication of diabetes, with some of the most severe episodes requiring emergency department (ED) care or hospitalization. A variety of health conditions increase the risk of hypoglycemia. People with diabetes often have multiple comorbidities, and the association of such multimorbidity with hypoglycemia risk in the context of other risk factors is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the associations of age, cumulative multimorbidity, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, and use of glucose level-lowering medication with hypoglycemia-related ED visits and hospitalizations.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Cohort study of claims and laboratory data from OptumLabs Data Warehouse, an administrative claims database of commercially insured and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries in the United States. Participants were adults (aged ≥18 years) with diabetes who had an available HbA1c level result in 2015. Data from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2016, were analyzed. Final analyses were conducted from December 2017 to September 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

This study calculated rates of hypoglycemia-related ED visits and hospitalizations during the year after the index HbA1c level was obtained, stratified by patient demographic characteristics, diabetes type, comorbidities (from 16 guideline-specified high-risk conditions), index HbA1c level, and glucose level-lowering medication use. The association of each variable with hypoglycemia-related ED and hospital care was examined using multivariable Poisson regression analysis overall and by diabetes type.

RESULTS

The study cohort was composed of 201 705 adults with diabetes (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [12.1] years; 102 668 [50.9%] women; 118 804 [58.9%] white; mean [SD] index HbA1c level, 7.2% [1.5%]). Overall, there were 9.06 (95% CI, 8.64-9.47) hypoglycemia-related ED visits and hospitalizations per 1000 persons per year. The risk of hypoglycemia-related ED visits and hospitalizations was increased by age 75 years or older (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.56 [95% CI, 1.23-2.02] vs 18-44 years), black race/ethnicity (IRR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.16-1.46] vs white race/ethnicity), lower annual household income (IRR, 0.63 [95% CI, 0.53-0.74] for ≥$100 000 vs <$40 000), number of comorbidities (increasing from IRR of 1.66 [95% CI, 1.42-1.95] in the presence of 2 comorbidities to IRR of 4.12 [95% CI, 3.07-5.51] with ≥8 comorbidities compared with ≤1), prior hypoglycemia-related ED visit or hospitalization (IRR, 6.60 [95% CI, 5.77-7.56]), and glucose level-lowering treatment regimen (IRR, 6.73 [95% CI, 4.93-9.22] for sulfonylurea; 12.53 [95% CI, 8.90-17.64] for basal insulin; and 27.65 [95% CI, 20.32-37.63] for basal plus bolus insulin compared with other medications). Independent of these factors, having type 1 diabetes was associated with a 34% increase in the risk of hypoglycemia-related ED visits or hospitalizations (IRR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.15-1.55]). The index HbA1c level was associated with hypoglycemia-related ED visits and hospitalizations when both low (IRR, 1.45 [95% CI, 1.12-1.87] for HbA1c level ≤5.6% vs 6.5%-6.9%) and high (IRR, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.02-1.50] for HbA1c level ≥10%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study of adults with diabetes, the risk of an ED visit or hospitalization for hypoglycemia appeared to be highest among patients with type 1 diabetes, multiple comorbidities, prior severe hypoglycemia, and sulfonylurea and/or insulin use. At-risk patients may benefit from individualized treatment regimens to decrease their risk of hypoglycemia.