The Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Study in Southern Italy

Background and Objectives Diabetes mellitus in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Pharmacological management of DKD is challenging due to reduced renal excretion of some antidiabetic drugs. The aim of this population-based study was to explore antidiabetic drug use in DKD patients from Southern Italy. Methods The Arianna database from Caserta Local Health Unit was used. Diabetic patients with incident CKD [first diagnosis date: index date (ID)] were identified by searching for specific ICD9-CM codes among hospital discharge diagnoses/procedures and/or indication of use associated with drug prescriptions. To evaluate any change in the use of antidiabetic drugs after the CKD diagnosis, the prevalence of antidiabetic drug use among DKD patients was calculated within 1 year prior to/after ID and after dialysis entry. A Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to assess the time to discontinuation of antidiabetic drugs after CKD diagnosis. The frequency of antidiabetic drugs contraindicated in renal disease in DKD patients was measured. Results Overall, 725 diabetic patients (mean age 72.8 ± 11.4 years) had incident CKD from 2006 to 2011. The use of combination antidiabetic drugs, biguanides and sulphonamides decreased by approximately 10, 7 and 5 %, respectively, after the ID. The use of insulins increased by 10 % after the ID and by 20 % after entry into dialysis. The use of antidiabetic drugs not contraindicated in CKD decreased marginally after the diagnosis of CKD. Conclusion In a general practice of Southern Italy the management of diabetes mellitus changed only marginally in newly diagnosed CKD patients, suggesting a therapeutic inertia on the part of prescribers.