Clinicians perspectives on the utilization of antidiabetics for the management of diabetes in India

Background: Diabetes is a potentially epidemic health problem that is spreading rapidly throughout the low- and middle-income nations like India. On the other hand, the economic and social costs of diabetes in India are substantial, underscoring the urgent need for effective diabetes management strategies. So, this study was conducted to assess the opinions of clinical experts on the preference of antidiabetic agents in the management of type 2 diabetes among Indian patients.
Methodology: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted to collect opinion among physicians involved in managing diabetes mellitus across India between June 2022 and December 2022. Convenient sampling method was used. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the characteristics of the study by employing frequencies and percentages.
Results: About 323 doctors involved in this study, providing valuable insights into diabetes management and treatment preferences in the Indian healthcare landscape. It was observed that majority of clinicians (64%) reported that they observed 31-60% of diabetes patients in their clinical practice and 77% of physicians indicated their preference for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors. Most of the respondents (56%) considered DPP4 inhibitors + metformin as the first-line therapy followed by 53% of respondents prioritizing medications with proven cardiovascular benefits. About 83% of responders selecting metformin sustained release, it was evident that majority of medical professionals preferred sustained release and only 17% favoured the immediate release form of metformin.
Conclusion: This study concluded that the most commonly recommended and prescribed drug for the management of diabetes was sitagliptin with a more emphasis on the effectiveness and dosage flexibility in diabetes management.