PHILADELPHIA – A new study by researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania found significant differences in the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2), a class of drugs that have been shown to treat type 2 diabetes Low in black, Asian, and low income groups despite an increase in overall use in patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
“One study after another, including large randomized trials, has shown this class of drugs to be cardiovascular and kidney protective,” said lead author Lauren Eberly, MD, MPH, a cardiology fellow at the University of Pennsylvania. “We know that black patients already have higher rates of heart failure and kidney disease. It is worrying that this is a therapy that we know will prevent death from and progression from these conditions, and yet it does.” we found this to be the case with black patients. ” less likely to receive this therapy, as well as female patients and those of lower socioeconomic status. “
SGLT2 inhibitors are a group of drugs that lower the level of glucose in the blood by blocking the protein that reabsorbs sugar from the urine into the body. They lower the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, lower the risk of death from cardiovascular causes, slow the progression of kidney disease, reduce complications in patients with chronic kidney disease, and are now recommended for all diabetics who are at high risk for these conditions.
In this study, the researchers examined the data from October 2015 to June 2019 of more than 900,000 different commercially insured patients with type 2 diabetes and found that the cumulative percentage of patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors rose from 3.8 percent to 11 .9 percent rose.
However, the analyzes showed that black, Asian, and female patients had lower rates of SGLT2 inhibitors, as well as patients whose median household income was less than $ 50,000. The study also found that usage rates remained low in patients with heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease.
“These results are in line with previous studies that have shown the use of less novel therapies in black patients. Implementation strategies that prioritize not only the provision of policy-driven care but also fair policy-driven care are critical to ensuring that everyone Patients have access to evidence-based therapies, “said the study’s lead author, Dr. med. Srinath Adusumalli, MSHP, Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine in the Cardiovascular Medicine Department.
The study found that a visit to an endocrinologist in the past 12 months was one of the most powerful factors associated with SGLT2 inhibitor use, recognizing that the demonstrated clinical benefit was for many non-specialist providers treating patients with diabetes , may not yet be widely known. In addition, marginalized patient populations are likely to have barriers to accessing specialized care. Eberly and her colleagues encourage the development of strategies to increase the convenience of all providers, particularly primary care and cardiology providers, by prescribing this class of drugs.
“If these inequalities in usage are not addressed, they will add to the well-documented differences in cardiovascular and renal outcomes in the US,” said Eberly.
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Penn Medicine is one of the world’s premier academic medical centers dedicated to the related tasks of medical education, biomedical research and excellent patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the first medical school in the country) and the University of Pennsylvania health care system, which together form a $ 8.9 billion company.
The Perelman School of Medicine has been one of the top medical schools in the United States for more than 20 years, according to the US News & World Report survey of research-oriented medical schools. The school is consistently among the top recipients in the country funded by the National Institutes of Health. In fiscal 2020, $ 496 million was awarded.
The University of Pennsylvania Healthcare System’s patient care facilities include: the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center – recognized by US News & World Report as one of the best Honor Roll hospitals in the country – Chester County Hospital ;; Lancaster General Health; Penn Medicine Princeton Health; and the Pennsylvania Hospital, the first hospital in the country founded in 1751. Other institutions and companies include Good Shepherd Penn Partners, Penn Medicine at Home, Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital, and Princeton House Behavioral Health.
Penn Medicine is supported by a talented and dedicated workforce of more than 44,000 people. The organization also has alliances with leading community health systems in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey, creating more options for patients no matter where they live.
Penn Medicine is committed to improving life and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal 2020, Penn Medicine donated more than $ 563 million to help our community.
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