Are we there yet? Increasing use of cardioprotective antihyperglycemic agents in patients with T2D and CVD or CV risk in the United States

Objective To report on the use of antihyperglycemic agents (AHAs) by age (i.e. <65, >= 65 years) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular risk (CV risk) factors in the United States. Methods Patients with T2D and CVD (CVD cohort) or T2D and an additional CV risk factor without pre-existing CVD (CV risk cohort) were identified from 2015 to 2019 in a claims database. Patients were followed from their first observed CVD diagnosis or CV risk factor for each year they were continuously enrolled or until occurrence of a CVD diagnosis (CV risk cohort only). Classes of AHAs received were reported by year, cohort, and age group. Results From 2015 to 2019, the percentage of patients <65 years on glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) increased (CVD: 9-17%, CV risk: 9-17%) and was approximately twice that of those >= 65 years (CVD: 4-8%, CV risk: 4-8%); the percentage of patients <65 years on sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors increased (CVD: 11-16%, CV risk: 11-17%) and was approximately triple that of those >= 65 years (CVD: 3-6%, CV risk: 4-7%). Conclusions The use of GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors increased during the study period; however, most patients did not receive these medications. Patients aged >= 65 years were particularly disadvantaged.

Automated summary

This study reports on the use of antihyperglycemic agents (AHAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cardiovascular risk (CV risk) factors in the United States. The use of GLP-1 RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors increased during the study period, but most patients, particularly those aged 65 years and above, did not receive these medications.