Characteristics and Early Hypoglycemic Medications of Patients at Risk of Progression to Type 2 Diabetes in Japan: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Health Checkup and Claims Data

Medication therapy management by tracking patients with risk of progression to type 2 diabetes has not been investigated in Japan. We aimed to assess the characteristics of these patients and their early medications. Claims (n = 190507) and health checkup data (n = 106984) between April 2005 and March 2015 in Japan were selected. We selected patients aged ≥40 years with fasting plasma glucose levels of 100-125 mg/dL or glycated hemoglobin A1c values of 5.7-6.4%. The early-medication group comprised patients who received hypoglycemic medications within 6 months after their first clinic visit, while the no-medication group comprised patients who did not receive any hypoglycemic medications. Main outcome measures were characteristics and early hypoglycemic medications of patients at risk of progression to type 2 diabetes. Of 5676 individuals, hypoglycemic medications were initiated in 276 (5%). The early-medication group had a higher proportion of individuals with a body mass index ≥25 kg/m and current smokers and drinkers than the no-medication group. Approximately 83% of patients in the early-medication group were prescribed a single hypoglycemic medication, and since 2010, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors were prescribed to one-third of these patients. In our population, early hypoglycemic medication was initiated within 6 months of the first clinic visit, indicating that initiation took place earlier than recommended by current guidelines. Early hypoglycemic medications, especially dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors with low risks of hypoglycemia, might be prescribed based on patient characteristics. Further epidemiological studies are needed to confirm the suitability of early hypoglycemic medication.