Deprescribing Oral Antidiabetics in Elderly Patients: Do Electronic Leaflets Across the World Address It?
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Objective: To analyze information on deprescribing in oral antidiabetic leaflets from national medicines regulatory authorities, focusing on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This documental study analyzed electronic leaflets of oral antidiabetics from the official websites of nine Medicines Regulatory Authorities: Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, UK, USA, and EU, covering drugs listed in the WHO's Essential Medicines List 2023. The analysis focused on the alignment of deprescribing information with the Ontario deprescribing algorithm for oral antidiabetics developed by the Bruyère Institute in Canada.
Results: Out of 72 expected leaflets, 64 (88.9 %) were retrieved. Only 18 leaflets (28.1 %) explicitly discussed deprescribing oral antihyperglycemics. Hypoglycemia and drug interaction risks were addressed in 55 leaflets (85.9 %). Caution for use in patients over 65 was mentioned in 32 leaflets (50 %), and 23 leaflets (35.9 %) addressed the risks of tight glucose and HbA1c targets.
Conclusion: Despite a high retrieval rate, 11.1 % of leaflets were missing, and those available contained inconsistent deprescribing information. There are significant disparities in guidance across regulatory authorities. Standardized, updated leaflets that address deprescribing in frail older patients could enhance prescribers' confidence and support shared decision-making.