Perceived Diabetes Burden, Clinical Care Gap, and Intent to Prescribe a Diabetes Polypill to Indian Patients with...

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often associated with hypertension and dyslipidemia and is known to increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A fixed-dose diabetes polypill, which can lower glycemia, blood pressure, and cholesterol, can improve treatment adherence in patients with T2D. This survey was conducted among healthcare professionals (HCPs) in India to assess the perceived T2D burden, clinical gaps, and intent to prescribe polypill to patients.

The study was conducted in two phases: Phase 1 quantitative online/in-person surveys to assess patient load, proportion of treatment-naïve patients, initiated/current treatment, patients achieving glycemic goals, and intent to prescribe polypill; and Phase 2 quantitative telephonic-aided online surveys to evaluate factors impacting treatment choice, validating polypill concept, and intention to prescribe.

Phase 1 survey included 5,000 respondents (3,000 general practitioners [GPs], 1,500 diabetologists, 500 endocrinologists) and Phase 2 survey included 500 respondents (300 GPs, 150 diabetologists, 50 endocrinologists). Approximately 92% of HCPs indicated concern regarding treatment adherence for all risk factors. Treatment goals were reported to be achieved in 67%, 58%, and 52% patients for hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, respectively. The most preferred pharmacological treatment approach was combination therapy (65%); around 84% of physicians preferred a fixed-dose therapy. Approximately, 79% HCPs believed that polypill demonstrated greater benefits compared to other products, and 86% of HCPs had high intention to prescribe polypill. The survey results indicated that most HCPs preferred fixed-dose therapy, and believed that a fixed-dose diabetes polypill could be beneficial in reducing T2D associated CVD risk factors in patients.

Most HCPs considered CVD risk management and adherence to medication as serious challenges and intended to prescribe an affordable and efficacious diabetes polypill to patients with T2D to lower CVD risk.