The vast majority of Type 2 diabetes patients would switch medication if it reduced their pill burden, a new survey has indicated.
The survey of patients with Type 2 diabetes showed that more than three-quarters of them are taking medication to control their diabetes. Of this group, 84% would consider switching medication if it meant taking fewer tablets.
Despite this, nearly half had never had any changes made to their medication, even though 35% had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes for between five and ten years, and 13% for more than 10 years.
The online survey of 100 people with Type 2 diabetes (carried out by TNS on behalf of
Takeda UK) also found that half of all respondents could not correctly define hypoglycaemia,
while 49% who had suffered hypoglycaemic-like symptoms had not reported them to their
GP or practice diabetic nurse.
There are currently over 2.5 million people with diabetes in the UK. In the survey, nearly 40% of patients took four or more tablets daily. At least 16% of respondents were taking four tablets per day and 9% more than six tablets per day.
The study’s authors suggest that fixed-dose combination treatments can reduce the number of medications to be taken daily and have a low risk of hypoglycaemia, when given second-line as an alternative to a sulphonylurea.
Poor concordance with treatment is an important consideration in the management of Type 2 diabetes and, the study concludes, simplifying treatment regimens to reduce pill burden may improve patient concordance as well as engaging patients better with the ongoing management of their diabetes.
Takeda UK markets two oral diabetes therapies.