Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Medication Use
Author Information
Author(s): Wang Eric, Patorno Elisabetta, Khosrow-Khavar Farzin, Crystal Stephen, Dave Chintan V.
Primary Institution: Rutgers University
Hypothesis
The study investigates racial and ethnic disparities in the use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor antagonists among older adults with type 2 diabetes and cardiorenal conditions.
Conclusion
Disparities in the uptake of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor antagonists among Black and Hispanic participants compared to White participants were evident, although these disparities showed signs of improvement over time.
Supporting Evidence
- Black participants had 35% lower odds of initiating SGLT2 inhibitors compared to White participants.
- Disparities in medication initiation decreased from 50-60% in 2013 to 17-18% in 2019 for Black participants.
- Hispanic participants had similar odds of SGLT2i initiation as White participants in some cohorts.
- Black and Hispanic participants had higher initiation rates of DPP4 inhibitors compared to White participants.
Takeaway
The study found that Black and Hispanic older adults with diabetes are less likely to start certain diabetes medications compared to White adults, but this gap is getting smaller over time.
Methodology
This retrospective cohort study used Medicare fee-for-service data from 2013 to 2019 to analyze medication initiation among older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from prescribing practices and access to healthcare specialists.
Limitations
The study findings are limited to older individuals with Medicare fee-for-service insurance and may not account for all social determinants of health.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily older adults (≥65 years) with type 2 diabetes, including non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic individuals.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI [0.61, 0.68]
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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