Poll conducted with primary care physicians about type 2 diabetes management

T2D is a growing concern for people living in Latin American countries; the International Diabetes Federation estimates today’s T2D population in Latin America will grow by 60% by 2035.(2)

The poll investigated physicians’ perceptions of the challenges and issues faced when treating people with T2D. It showed 73% of physicians think the complexity of managing the condition is currently underestimated.(1)

When asked about the key challenges faced when treating T2D, 39% of respondents indicated risk factors, such as obesity, smoking and hypertension, are the most important challenges, while  20% responded the risk of medication side effects (for example low blood sugar and weight gain) is the most important challenge faced.(1)

Acknowledging that people with T2D are at increased cardiovascular risk,(3) 93% of physicians surveyed indicated the risks of stroke and heart disease influence their treatment decisions.(1)

The poll also highlighted physicians’ priorities on treatment prescribing decisions, which require careful consideration. When asked about what influences medication choices in addition to the management of blood glucose levels, 43% of respondents said ‘number of doses per day’ was the most important consideration.(1) ‘No need for dose titration for different patient profiles’ was the most influential factor for 29% of physicians, while a further 28% said ‘no impact on weight’ is the most important consideration.(1)

To help overcome the complexities of managing T2D, 79% of respondents felt both physicians and patients could benefit from more educational material.(1) It has been shown that high quality, structured and easy to understand patient education can help people better manage their condition and improve health outcomes and quality of life.(4)

The results of the poll mirrors those from two previous polls conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company in 2013 of 1,000 physicians from six European countries and  more than 800 physicians from four Asian countries, showing that treatment considerations are similar across the globe.(5,6)

Over a one-month period, an online tool consisting of five short multiple choice questions was used to gauge opinions from more than 700 physicians from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. Results were then collaborated from the different markets to draw overall conclusions.