Cardioprotective Medication Use Among Diabetic Patients With ASCVD in Qatar's Primary Care Setting
Author(s)
Myriam Jaam, MSc1, Ahmed Awaisu, PhD1, Daoud Al-Badriyeh, PhD2, Amani Zidan, MSc1, Rana Abu Samaha, PharmD1, Bassant Elkattan, PharmD1, Mohammed Ghaith Al-Kuwari, MD3, Dina Abushanab, PhD4.
1Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, 2College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, 3Primary healthcare corporation, Doha, Qatar, 4Pharmacy, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
1Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, 2College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, 3Primary healthcare corporation, Doha, Qatar, 4Pharmacy, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.
OBJECTIVES: Despite established guidelines recommending cardioprotective medications for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), prescribing practices often fall short of recommendations. In this study we aimed to assess the prescribing trends of guidelines-recommended cardioprotective medications, including sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEi/ARB), and high-intensity statins, among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in Qatar's primary health care corporation (PHCC).
METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed electronic medical records data from 29 PHCC centers in Qatar for the period January-December 2021. Prescription rates of SGLT2i/GLP-1RA, ACEi/ARB, and high-intensity statin were assessed based on documented medication usage. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with guideline-directed prescribing.
RESULTS: Among the 2,870 eligible subjects, only 10% were prescribed high-intensity statins, 12% received SGLT2i/GLP-1RA, and 56% were prescribed ACEi/ARB. Male gender, higher HbA1c, and a diagnosis of dyslipidaemia were positively associated with increased likelihood of adherence to relevant clinical practice guidelines. However, these factors only explained only 16% of the observed variance.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with T2DM and ASCVD did not receive the completed guideline-recommended regimens of cardioprotective medications, suggesting a significant gap in clinical practice. Urgent implementation of multifaceted strategies is warranted to address barriers and clinical inertia, thereby optimizing cardiovascular risk reduction and secondary prevention therapies.
METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed electronic medical records data from 29 PHCC centers in Qatar for the period January-December 2021. Prescription rates of SGLT2i/GLP-1RA, ACEi/ARB, and high-intensity statin were assessed based on documented medication usage. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with guideline-directed prescribing.
RESULTS: Among the 2,870 eligible subjects, only 10% were prescribed high-intensity statins, 12% received SGLT2i/GLP-1RA, and 56% were prescribed ACEi/ARB. Male gender, higher HbA1c, and a diagnosis of dyslipidaemia were positively associated with increased likelihood of adherence to relevant clinical practice guidelines. However, these factors only explained only 16% of the observed variance.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with T2DM and ASCVD did not receive the completed guideline-recommended regimens of cardioprotective medications, suggesting a significant gap in clinical practice. Urgent implementation of multifaceted strategies is warranted to address barriers and clinical inertia, thereby optimizing cardiovascular risk reduction and secondary prevention therapies.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
CO36
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Health Policy & Regulatory, Real World Data & Information Systems
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)