Type 2 diabetes mellitus management in Canada: is it improving?

To gain insight into the current management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by Canadian primary care physicians.

A total of 479 primary care physicians from across Canada submitted data on 5123 type 2 diabetes patients whom they had seen on a single day on or around World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2012.

Mean glycated hemoglobin (A1C) was 7.4%, low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) was 2.1 mmol/L and blood pressure (BP) was 128/75 mm Hg. A1C ≤7.0% was met by 50%, LDL-C ≤2.0 mmol/L by 57%, BP <130/80 mm Hg by 36% and the composite triple target by 13% of patients. Diet counselling had been offered to 38% of patients. Of the 87% prescribed antihyperglycemic agents, 18% were on 1 non-insulin antihyperglycemic agent (NIAHA) (85% of which was metformin), 15% were on 2 NIAHAs, 6% were on ≥3 NIAHAs, 19% were on insulin only and 42% were on insulin + ≥1 NIAHA(s). Amongst the 81% prescribed lipid-lowering therapy, 88% were on monotherapy (97% of which was a statin). Among the 83% prescribed antihypertensive agents, 39%, 34%, 21% and 6% received 1, 2, 3 and >3 drugs, respectively, with 59% prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and 35% angiotensin II receptor blockers.

The Diabetes Mellitus Status in Canada survey highlights the persistent treatment gap associated with the treatment of type 2 diabetes and the challenges faced by primary care physicians to gain glycemic control and global vascular protection in these patients. It also reveals a higher use of insulin therapy in primary care practices relative to previous surveys. Practical strategies aimed at more effectively managing type 2 diabetes patients are urgently needed.