Real-World Effectiveness of Sitagliptin as Add-On Therapy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of sitagliptin in glycemic control in a clinical practice. Methods: This was a retrospective medical chart review study conducted in a single hospital. A total of 3081 patients with diabetes mellitus who were prescribed sitagliptin were selected, including 2729 continuous sitagliptin users (defined as continuous usage ≥ 24 weeks) and 352 subjects who used sitagliptin for < 24 weeks. An additional 12-month observation period was monitored after initiating sitagliptin to extract clinical information at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months through patient medical chart review. Results: In the 2729 continuous users, a baseline glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) level of 9.0% was reduced to 8.1%, 8.1%, 8.1%, and 8.2% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, respectively, representing a 0.9% HbA_1c level reduction at 3, 6, and 9 months and a 0.8% HbA_1c level reduction at 12 months. With a goal of HbA_1c value of < 7.0%, 9.1% of the patients were under control at baseline; after initiating sitagliptin, 22.7% of the patients achieved the HbA_1c level goal at 3 months, 23.6% at 6 months, 20.8% at 9 months, and 20.4% at 12 months. The proportion of patients attaining the goal of HbA_1c level < 7.0% at least doubled at different time points after treatment with sitagliptin. Conclusions: In this single-hospital retrospective chart analysis, a meaningful clinical improvement in glycemic control before and after sitagliptin treatment commenced, including HbA_1c level reduction and the HbA_1c goal attainment rate, was observed. The results reflect the actual clinical practice in a large hospital in Taiwan, and supplement data from randomized controlled trials.

Keywords:

• type 2 diabetes mellitus
• sitagliptin
• oral antidiabetic drugs
• dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor