Evaluation of drug utilization pattern of antidiabetic drugs and 10-year cardiovascular risk in new and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a prospective, longitudinal, observational, hospital-based study

Purpose To evaluate changes in drug utilization pattern of antidiabetic drugs on prospective follow-up of new and recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients along with their 10-year cardiovascular risk assessment. Methods A prospective observational hospital-based study was conducted among new and recently diagnosed (≤ 6 months) type 2 diabetes patients attending the medicine outpatient department (OPD) at tertiary care teaching hospital, Raipur, after taking written informed consent. Antidiabetic drug prescription and socio-demographic characteristics were noted in the Case Record Form. Recruited patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 9 months. Ten-year cardiovascular risk was determined using the QRISK ® 3 risk calculator. Result A total of 90 patients, 48 (53.33%) new and 42 (46.67%) recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients, were recruited. An average number of antidiabetic drugs prescribed in patients was 2.1 at the final visit. The average daily dose of antidiabetic drugs was assessed against the WHO/ATC-defined daily dose (DDD). It was decreased for metformin and other antidiabetic drugs, except for glimepiride. More than one-third of patients had a QRISK3 score >10% at each visit. Conclusion This study highlighted that patient education and periodic review of prescription of new and recently diagnosed diabetic patients play a vital role in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus by tailoring treatment regimen. The present study revealed overtreatment of low-risk groups and under-treatment of high-risk groups based on QRISK3 score and statins. This observation signifies that risk stratification is essential for preventing CVD risks in new diabetic patients.