Recent trends in the use of antidiabetic medications from 2008 to 2013: A nation‐wide population‐based study from Taiwan

Background Studies from other countries indicate that utilization patterns of antidiabetic drugs change significantly after the introduction of newer classes of antidiabetic drugs (e.g. dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors [DPP-4i]). Evidence on recent trends regarding antidiabetic drug use in Taiwan is lacking, especially for times after the introduction of newer classes of drugs (e.g. DPP-4i). Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess: (i) recent trends in the use and spending on antidiabetic drugs; (ii) changes in utilization patterns after introduction of newer classes of antidiabetic drugs; and (iii) factors associated with the choice of newer versus older classes of antidiabetic drugs. Methods Cases of type 2 diabetes were derived from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Antidiabetic drug use was measured in terms of total quantity of drug exposure and healthcare spending in each calendar year from 2008 to 2103. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with drug choice. Results The use of and healthcare spending on DPP-4i increased significantly from 2008 to 2013, whereas healthcare spending on sulfonylureas decreased. For monotherapy, sulfonylureas were the most common alternatives to metformin, whereas in dual and triple antidiabetic therapies, a DPP-4i was the most common alternative to initial regimens. The use of a DPP-4i was positively associated with the use of beta-blockers, angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitors and/or angiotensin receptor blockers, and lipid-lowering agents, but negatively correlated with age, hypertension, severity of diabetes complications, and the use of diuretics and calcium channel blockers. Conclusions With growing spending on newer antidiabetic drugs, future research on the comparative cost-effectiveness and safety of antidiabetic drugs is anticipated.