Comparison of use of diabetic medication and clinical guidelines in four Nordic countries

Clinical guidelines form one of the cornerstones for providing high-quality care for patients with diabetes. We compare the national guidelines and the use of glucose lowering medication for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.

We compared how guidelines take comprehensive care into consideration, what treatment targets and what antihyperglycemic medication was recommended. The use of glucose-lowering medication was based on the sales of diabetes drugs in these countries.

All guidelines stress the importance of comprehensive diabetes care. Individualized glycemic targets are emphasized especially in the Danish and Finnish guidelines. In 2013, sulfonylureas were the most common second-line treatment after metformin in Denmark, Norway and Sweden; in Finland, this position was taken by DPP-4 inhibitors. Recommended initial insulin type for patients with T2D differs between the four countries. Danish, Norwegian and Swedish guidelines also take economic aspects into account.

All guidelines stress regular and comprehensive diabetes care. Danish and Finnish guidelines strongly underline the importance of individualized glycemic targets. All guidelines recommend metformin as the initial oral antihyperglycemic drug. In relation to recommended second line drug therapy and initial insulin type for patients with T2D, the guidelines vary largely between the four countries.