Abstract

Objective: To determine the percentage of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Diabetes Center in UAE, with glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) recommended by American Diabetes Association (ADA), i.e., HbA1c <7, and the class of antidiabetic drugs received by them.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Diabetes Center in May 2018 in patients who had T2DM with complete information related to HbA1c. The primary endpoint of the study was to determine the percentage of patients with T2DM and HbA1c<7%, while the secondary endpoint was to review the distribution of the various classes of anti-diabetic agents used to attain the HbA1c level of <7%. The data collected were analyzed descriptively and were presented as n (%) and mean (standard deviation; SD).

Result: Out of 270 patients, nine (n=9; 3.3%) patients had gestational diabetes, 13 (4.8%) patients had type 1 DM and only 248 (91.9%) patients were identified with T2DM. Among 248 patients with T2DM, the quarterly HbA1c information was available for 234 (94.4%) patients. One hundred twenty-five (n=125; 53.4%) patients with T2DM had HbA1c<7%, out of which 86 (68.8%) patients received only oral antihyperglycemic agents (OHAs; mean [SD]: HbA1c=6.2 [0.33]), one (0.8%) patient received only insulin (HbA1c=6), three (n=3, 2.4%) patients received only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (mean [SD] HbA1c=5.7 [0.35]), 8 (6.4%) patients received insulin+OHAs (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.4 [0.29]), 23 (18.4%) patients took GLP-1+OHAs (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.3 [0.38]) and one (0.8%) patient received GLP-1+OHA+insulin (HbA1c=6). Three (n=3, 2.4%) were newly diagnosed prediabetic patients who received no drug (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.1 [0.38]). Patients received monotherapy (n=66; 52.8%), dual therapy (n=39; 31.2%) and more than two drugs (n= 20, 16.0%). Among monotherapy, metformin was the most frequently received drug (n=40; 32.0%) while metformin+GLP-1 was most commonly received dual therapy (n=11; 8.8%).

Conclusion: Glycemic control of HbA1c<7 was achieved by 53.4% patients, which is much higher proportion of patients than previously reported from this region; however, it was still below the target level in many patients.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; T2DM, HbA1c<7; ADA; Dubai; Monotherapy; Dual Therapy; Oral Antihyperglycemic Agents; Insulin; GLP-1

Introduction

Diabetes Mellitus (DM), a global epidemic, has become one of the major health related challenges and estimated to be the seventh leading cause of mortality in 2016 [1]. The global prevalence of DM in adults aged between 20-79 years was approximately 425 million in 2017[2]. Prevalence of Type 2 DM (T2DM) is increasing and has become a global pandemic affecting developed as well as developing countries of the world [3]. As per International Diabetes Federation (IDF), 17.3% of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aged between 20- 79 years had T2DM in 2017 [4]. According to a systematic review published by Meo (2016), the prevalence of T2DM has increased in Saudi Arabia from 2.5% in the year 1982 to 32.8% in the year 2015 [5]. Therefore, a prompt, accurate and early diagnosis as well as an appropriate treatment is warranted.

Glycated/ glycosylated hemoglobin, also known as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), plays an essential role in diagnosing and monitoring T2DM [6]. American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2018 recommends targeting HbA1c level of less than 7% (<7) [7]. This has been supported by numerous landmark trials that report the association between HbA1c<7% and reduced risk of microvascular complications. Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial [VADT]) assessing glucose control and vascular complications in 1791 veterans with T2DM reported median HbA1c of 6.9% in the group receiving intensive therapy and 8.4% in the group receiving standard therapy. Furthermore, the first major cardiovascular event was experienced by lesser number of patients with lower HbA1c than patients with higher HbA1c (235 vs. 264; p=0.14) [8]. Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial also reported a 10.0% relative reduction in major macrovascular and microvascular events in patients with T2DM with HbA1c=6.5% [9]. The Other landmark studies including Kumamoto Study [10] and UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) also confirmed that intensive glycemic control (HbA1c=7.0 for UKPDS and 7.1 for Kumamoto study) significantly reduced microvascular complication rates in patients with T2DM. [11,12].

A 10 year follow up of UKPD seven revealed the long-term benefit of intensive glycemic control in patients with T2DM [13]. Though, numerous studies assessed the prevalence of T2DM in Middle East region, [14-16] very few studies report the prevalence of T2DM based on HbA1c levels. Therefore, the present retrospective study was conducted to determine the percentage of patients with HbA1c<7% with T2DM in Diabetes Center- Dr. Sulaiman AL Habib Hospital as recommended by ADA. The study also reviewed the distribution of the various classes of anti-diabetic agents used to attain this level of HbA1c.

Methodology

Study Design

A retrospective study was conducted at Diabetes Center, Dr. Sulaiman AL Habib Hospital in May 2018 to determine the number/ percentage of patients with T2DM and HbA1c<7% and the class of antidiabetic drugs received by them.

Study Population

The patients with T2DM, and complete information related to HbA1c were included in the study while the patients with incomplete information and/ or other type of DM were excluded.

Study Endpoints

The primary endpoint of the study was to determine the percentage of patients with T2DM and HbA1c<7%. The secondary endpoint was to review the distribution of the various classes of anti-diabetic agents used to attain the HbA1c level of <7%.

Statistical Analysis

The data collected were analyzed descriptively and were presented as n (%) and mean (standard deviation; SD).

Result

Study Population

A total of 1089 patients attended the Center in May, 2018 out of which 270 had DM. Among them, nine (n=9; 3.3%) patients had gestational diabetes, 13 (4.8%) patients had type 1 DM and only 248 (91.9%) patients were identified with T2DM. Among 248 patients with T2DM, the quarterly HbA1c information was missing for 14 (5.7%) patients. Therefore, data of only 234 (94.4%) patients was analyzed further.

Among 234 patients with T2DM, 109 (46.6%) patients had HbA1c>7% while 125 (53.4%) patients had HbA1c<7%. Among patients with HbA1c<7 (n=125), the highest number of patients, i.e., 79 (63.2%) patients had HbA1c within the range of 6.0-6.9%, followed by 44 (35.2%) patients in 5.0-5.9% and only two (n=2; 1.6%) patients with HbA1c between 4.0-4.9%. Out of 109 patients with HbA1c >7, 55 (50.5%) patients had HbA1c within a range of 7.0-7.9%, 24 (22.0%) patients in 8.0-8.9, 12 (11.0%) in 9.0-9.9 and 18 (16.5%) in 10-14.9%. Overall, the HbA1c ranges and distribution of patients is presented in Figure 1.

Secondary End Point

Of the T2DM patients with HbA1c<7, 86 (68.8%) patients received only oral antihyperglycemic agents (OHAs), one (0.8%) patient received only insulin, and three (n=3, 2.4%) patients received only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists. A combination of insulin+OHAs was received by 8 (6.4%) patients and 23 (18.4%) patients took GLP-1+OHAs combination. Three (n=3, 2.4%) newly diagnosed prediabetic patients (mean HbA1c 6.13 [0.38]) had received no drug at data cut off and were planned to be managed with lifestyle modification interventions (Table 1) [17].

Overall, patients received monotherapy (n=66; 52.8%), dual therapy (n=39; 31.2%) and more than two drugs (n= 20, 16.0%). Among monotherapy, metformin alone was the most frequently received drug (n=40; 32.0% of total patients) followed by DPP4 which was received by 18 (14.4% of total patients) patients (Table 1). Among dual therapy, the combination of metformin and GLP- 1 was most commonly received by 11 (8.8% of total patients) patients followed by the combination of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (n=10, 8.0%). All the other dual therapy and other multiple combinations were less common and are listed in Table 1.

HbA1c levels of Each Group

The patients taking only OHAs had a mean (SD) HbA1c of 6.2 (0.33), while the only patient on insulin had HbA1c level of 6%. The patients receiving the combination of insulin+OHA had mean (SD) HbA1c=6.4 (0.29). The patients receiving only GLP-1 had a mean HbA1c= 5.7 (0.35) while those on GLP-1 in combination with insulin and OHAs, the HbA1c level was 6.6. HbA1c levels of patients on various drug combinations are listed in Table 2.

Discussion

]There is a high prevalence of T2DM in UAE [18-22]. which needs to be managed by maintaining glycemic levels as normal as nondiabetic range [23,24]. To monitor the glycemic levels, HbA1C test is considered as the standard of care for diagnosing and monitoring T2DM. It is a reliable test and is widely accepted as it provides an average of blood glucose levels in the past two to three months [25].

The guidance by ADA recommends targeting HbA1c<7%.7 However, as per guidance statement update from the American College of Physicians (ACP), an HbA1c level between 7 and 8% should be aimed by the clinicians in most of the patients with T2DM. In patients with HbA1c <6.5%, de-intensifying pharmacologic therapy should be recommended [26]. Though ADA and ACP guidance agree in various areas, ADA does not consider ACP guidance of standard glycemic control (HbA1c: 7-8) appropriate as long term data from studies have shown intensive glycemic control (HbA1c<7) is associated with reduced glycemic complications [8-10,27]. Literature also suggests that intensive glycemic control in patients with T2DM has long term benefit in reducing cardiovascular complications [13].

Keeping in consideration the benefits associated with lower HbA1c levels (<7), the present study also assessed the percentage of patients with T2DM, in a hospital at Dubai Health Care City, who achieved HbA1c target of <7% as primary endpoint. If ACP was being followed, the present study had 88 patients would have required de-intensifying treatment as their HbA1c levels were <6.5%.

Diabetes accounts for high economic burden in Middle East region. AlMazroa determined the cost of DM in Saudi Arabia and estimated the cost to be 17 billion Riyals which is expected to rise up to 43 billion Riyals in future if the glucose intolerance progresses at the current observed rate [28]. Such a financial strain warrants immediate attention [29] and this could be achieved by diagnosing early and preventing complications associated with T2DM.

Limited studies conducted in Middle East region have assessed the prevalence of T2DM based on ADA HbA1c targets (HbA1c: <7%) and they consistently report a failure in targeting as well as meeting ADA standards in most of the patients with T2DM. A cross-sectional, population-based survey in 2006 reported the prevalence of T2DM with HbA1c<7 as 16.7% in Syria in a random sample of 1168 subjects ≥25 years of age [30]. Another study determining the prevalence of DM and its complications in 2455 adults (>18 years) in Al Ain, UAE reported 10.2% population had DM, out of which only 33.3% achieved HbA1c targets of less than 7% [31]. Among 353 Saudi T2DM patients, the average last measured HbA1c was 8.2±1.89% out of which only 27% achieved the target of HbA1c <7%. However, as per physicians 42% of the patients had attained glycemic control [32]. A study conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia reported that ADA target for HbA1c was only met in 21.8% of 968 patients [33]. Another study conducted in Saudi Arabia, Asser region, reported 26% of total (n=637) to have poor glycemic control [34].

Similarly, Alramadan et al. [35] reported three fourth of the total 1111 participants attending diabetes centers in Riyadh, Hofuf and Jeddah cities with unmet ADA glycemic targets [35]. This shows that the knowledge of ADA HbA1c target of <7 was probably not well known to the physicians. In contrast to the above-mentioned studies, the present study reported a higher percentage of patients with HbA1c<7, i.e., 53.4% (n=125). This is due to comprehensive diabetes care services provided by our Center inclusive of early and accurate diagnosis, with appropriate treatment strategies and follow-up. Our strategy is supported by a study conducted from Dubai which showed that a diabetes care programme led to an increase in proportion of patients achieving Hba1c<7% from 20.6% to 31.7% [36].

Antihyperglycemic therapy plays an essential role in attaining normoglycemia in patients with T2DM. However, it is important to select the appropriate therapy amongst the available agents for its management [37]. Generally, the patients recently diagnosed with T2DM are prescribed with metformin monotherapy with lifestyle modifications. However, in case of failure to attain normoglycemia, the patients are recommended combination therapy, i.e., dual followed by triple followed by insulin alone or in combination with OHAs [38,39].

Al Elq et al. [32] reported the use of OHAs alone in 64%, followed by combination of OHAs and insulin (28%) and insulin alone in 7% patients with T2DM (n= 353) [32]. In this study, the average last measured HbA1c was 8.2±1.89%. Only 27% of patient population had reached the target HbA1c of <7%. Despite this, the physicians had considered that 42% of patients had reached glycemic control [32]. Considering the same drug/drug combinations as the study by Al-Elq et al. [32] OHAs were also most commonly used by 86 (68.8%) patients in the present study, followed by combination of OHAs and insulin (n=8, 6.4%) and then insulin alone (n=1, 0.8%). However, the average (SD) HbA1c in these patient groups were 6.18 (0.33) for the patients receiving OHAs, 6.0 (0.0) for insulin and 6.39 (0.29) for the patients receiving insulin+OHAs.

In contrast to the study by Al-Elq et al. in the present study, 53.4% of study population reached the target HbA1c of <7%. A systematic review of 218 randomized controlled trials including 78,945 patients determined the proportion of patients with T2DM targeting HBA1c <7 using antidiabetic drugs. The study reported that patients took insulin in basal (n=21615), biphasic (n=11921), prandial (n=2597), basal bolus (n=2967) form and targeted HbA1c <7 was achieved by 38.9, 34.4, 36.3, and 50.2% of patients, respectively [39]. Of the patients receiving GLP 1 agonists (n=5783), 45.7% attained the HbA1c target of <7.

Among OHAs, 39.0% of 13,847 patients receiving DPP4 inhibitors, 25.9% of 1120 patients receiving alpha glucosidase inhibitors, 33.2% of 6655 patients receiving thiazolidinediones, 48.2% of 5895 patients receiving sulphonylureas, 39.1% of 1050 patients receiving glinides and 42.0% of 4827 patients receiving metformin attained the HbA1c target of <7.39 Though the present study population was small, patients received all the drugs reported for T2DM in the study by Esposito et al., 2012 except alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. In the present study, a total of 51.8% patients receiving DPP4 inhibitors, 9.1% patients receiving thiazolidinediones, 33.3% patients receiving sulphonylureas, 33.3% patients receiving glinides and 74.7% patients receiving metformin attained the HbA1c target of <7. Of the patients with HbA1c<7 in the present study, only one patient was on only insulin (rapid acting and long acting basal) and had HbA1c of 6%. The combination of insulin and OHAs was used in 8 (6.4%) patients with HbA1c<7 and mean HbA1c (SD) was 6.39 (0.29).

Bl

onde et al. [40] reported 41.1% patients taking GLP-1 agonists attained HbA1C<7% in patients [40]. In the present study, of the patients taking GLP-1 agonists, 58.7% attained the HbA1c target of <7. GLP1 was used alone (n= 1, 0.8%) and in combination with OHAs (n=23, 18.4%) in these patients who attained the HbA1c target of <7.

Metformin is also received in conjunction with insulin and numerous studies support the combined use of insulin and metformin. Ponssen et al. [41] included 30 patients with T2DM and reported the combination to improve glycemic levels, decrease adverse events with reduced insulin requirement [41]. Another study also reported the same in 2002 [42]. A 1998 study by Hermann reported metformin+insulin as a better combination than insulin+sulphonylureas in obese patients with T2DM [43]. In concordance, a combination of metformin and insulin was received by three (2.4%) patients (mean [SD] HbA1c: 6.23 [0.32]) and none of the patients in the present study received a combination of insulin and sulphonylureas. In the present study, combination of metformin and GLP-1 agonist combination was received by 13 patients out of which 8.8% (n=11) patients attained HbA1c<7, while only 3.2% (n=4) out of six patients receiving a combination of metformin and DPP4 inhibitors attained HbA1c<7. Pratley et al. 2010 also supports the combination of metformin and GLP-1 agonists over the combination of metformin and DPP4 inhibitors in achieving HbA1c target (baseline HbA1c: 8.5%; n=665, HbA1c lowering by 1.8 mg liraglutide [GLP-1 agonist]: -1.5%; n=218, 1.2 mg liraglutide [GLP-1 agonist]: -1.2%; n=221, 100 mg sitagliptin [DPP4 inhibitor]: -0.9%; n=219) [44].

A meta-analysis conducted to compare SGLT2 inhibitor+DPP4 inhibitor with placebo+DPP4 inhibitor in patients with T2DM reported better glycemic control in the group receiving SGLT2 inhibitor+DPP4 inhibitor (weighted mean difference −0.6%, 95% CI −0.7 to −0.5%) [45]. The present study also revealed that 10 (8.0%) out of 14 patients receiving the same combination attained HbA1c<7 (mean [SD] HbA1c: 6.19 [0.50]).

Th

e patients who do not attain target HbA1c values with dual therapy are recommended more than two drugs. However, it is essential to be careful while choosing such a treatment regime due to the associated risk of hypoglycaemia. Moreover, very few studies report the long -term efficacy and safety of such combinations [46]. Furthermore, polypharmacy is associated with increased risks of patient non-compliance/ non-adherence and drug-drug interactions, as well as more chances of adverse drug events [47]. The present study, however, had 20 (16.0%) patients who took more than two drugs to attain HbA1c target of <7%. These patients would need to be followed to see that they adhere to therapy.

The small study population size was the major limitation of the study. Moreover, as per ADA, in addition to HbA1c, other parameters such as fasting blood glucose, low density lipoprotein- cholesterol (LDL-C), hypertension, proteinuria, etc. should also be assessed. However, the present study has not assessed these parameters.

Conclusion

Overall, 86 (68.8%) patients were able to achieve HbA1c targets using mono or multiple OHAs, representing that the majority of patients with T2DM can be managed using OHAs. Among OHAs, metformin, alone, was received by maximum number of patients, i.e., 40 (32.0%) followed by DPP4 monotherapy (n=18; 14.4%). The most commonly used combinations were metformin+GLP1 (n=11; 8.8%), followed by combination of DPP4 and SGLT2 inhibitors (n=10; 8%). Only 20 (16%) patients received more than two drugs to attain HbA1c targets. However, the number of patients achieving a level of HbA1c less than 7% (n=125; 53.4%) is still below the target level in many patients.

The response of an individual to each drug is different and it depends upon the patient’s ethnicity and characteristics. The choice of drug also varies due to patient preferences, characteristics, associated comorbidities as well as drug characteristics. Therefore, it is essential to prescribe a regimen keeping everything into consideration. Further studies should be carried out to assess if the patients are prescribed antihyperglycemic agents keeping this in mind. In the present study, glycemic control of HbA1c<7 was achieved by much higher proportion of patients than previously reported from this region. Therefore, larger studies in UAE are required to assess if HbA1c target as per ADA is being achieved in higher proportion of patients as shown in this study. Measures being taken to improve glycemic control should also be assessed.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Turacoz Healthcare Solutions (www.turacoz.com) for the writing support.

Conflict of interest

No conflict of interest.

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Abstract

Objective: To determine the percentage of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in a Diabetes Center in UAE, with glycated hemoglobin level (HbA1c) recommended by American Diabetes Association (ADA), i.e., HbA1c <7, and the class of antidiabetic drugs received by them.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Diabetes Center in May 2018 in patients who had T2DM with complete information related to HbA1c. The primary endpoint of the study was to determine the percentage of patients with T2DM and HbA1c<7%, while the secondary endpoint was to review the distribution of the various classes of anti-diabetic agents used to attain the HbA1c level of <7%. The data collected were analyzed descriptively and were presented as n (%) and mean (standard deviation; SD).

Result: Out of 270 patients, nine (n=9; 3.3%) patients had gestational diabetes, 13 (4.8%) patients had type 1 DM and only 248 (91.9%) patients were identified with T2DM. Among 248 patients with T2DM, the quarterly HbA1c information was available for 234 (94.4%) patients. One hundred twenty-five (n=125; 53.4%) patients with T2DM had HbA1c<7%, out of which 86 (68.8%) patients received only oral antihyperglycemic agents (OHAs; mean [SD]: HbA1c=6.2 [0.33]), one (0.8%) patient received only insulin (HbA1c=6), three (n=3, 2.4%) patients received only glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists (mean [SD] HbA1c=5.7 [0.35]), 8 (6.4%) patients received insulin+OHAs (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.4 [0.29]), 23 (18.4%) patients took GLP-1+OHAs (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.3 [0.38]) and one (0.8%) patient received GLP-1+OHA+insulin (HbA1c=6). Three (n=3, 2.4%) were newly diagnosed prediabetic patients who received no drug (mean [SD] HbA1c=6.1 [0.38]). Patients received monotherapy (n=66; 52.8%), dual therapy (n=39; 31.2%) and more than two drugs (n= 20, 16.0%). Among monotherapy, metformin was the most frequently received drug (n=40; 32.0%) while metformin+GLP-1 was most commonly received dual therapy (n=11; 8.8%).

Conclusion: Glycemic control of HbA1c<7 was achieved by 53.4% patients, which is much higher proportion of patients than previously reported from this region; however, it was still below the target level in many patients.

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus; T2DM, HbA1c<7; ADA; Dubai; Monotherapy; Dual Therapy; Oral Antihyperglycemic Agents; Insulin; GLP-1