Assessing Prescriptions for Statins in Ambulatory Diabetic Patients in the United States: A National, Cross-sectional Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Clinical Therapeutics
Abstract
Background: Diabetes mellitus affects >20 million people in the United States each year, and >4000 new cases are diagnosed daily.
Objective: This study assessed the prescription of statin medications in the ambulatory setting in US diabetic patients.
Methods: We used data from the 2002 through 2004 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. All ambulatory medical visits associated with a diabetes diagnosis by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification were included. Prescriptions for statin medications were determined by searching each ambulatory visit for relevant drug names (trade and generic). Demographic characteristics were assessed, including survey year, sex, age group, race, ethnicity, payment type, region of the country, and physician's specialty and degree. Analyses used sample weights to calculate national estimates.
Results: From 2002 to 2004, 10,046 (unweighted) ambulatory visits were made by diabetic patients, representing a weighted national estimate of approximately 153 million visits. A statin prescription was associated with 21.1% of all diabetic visits and 14.1% of those without a hyperlipidemia-related diagnosis. Diabetic men were more likely than diabetic women to be given a prescription for a statin (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; 95% CI, 1.09-1.73). Compared with diabetic patients treated in 2002, those treated in 2003 and 2004 were more likely to be prescribed statin therapy (2003 OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.02-2.24; 2004 OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.03-2.15). Compared with diabetic patients aged 45 to 64 years, those in younger age groups were less likely to be given a statin prescription (1-24 years OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.01-0.84; 25-44 years OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.31-0.74), and those aged 65 to 74 years were more likely to be given a statin (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01-1.90). No differences were noted for diabetic patients aged > or = 75 years.
Conclusions: From 2002 through 2004,
DOI
10.1016/j.clinthera.2008.11.004
Publication Date
11-2008
ISSN
1879-114X
Recommended Citation
Segars LW, Lea AR. Assessing Prescriptions for Statins in Ambulatory Diabetic Patients in the United States: A National, Cross-sectional Study. Clinical Therapeutics. 2008; 30(11). doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2008.11.004.
