Freddy G Eliaschewitz1, Mauricio A de Paula2, Hermelinda C Pedrosa3, Antônio Carlos Pires4, João Eduardo N Salles5, Marcos Antônio Tambascia6, Luiz Alberto A Turatti7. 1. Centro de Pesquisas Clínicas, Rua Goias, 193, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01244-030, Brazil. Electronic address: freddy.g@uol.com.br. 2. Medical Manager at Sanofi, Avenida Major Sylvio de Magalhães Padilha, 5200, São Paulo, São Paulo, 05693-000, Brazil. Electronic address: Mauricio.Aguiar@sanofi.com. 3. Unidade de Endocrinologia-Polo de Pesquisa, Hospital Regional de Taguatinga, Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Distrito Federal, St. C Norte Área Especial 24, Taguatinga Norte, Brasília, Distrito Federal, 72120-970, Brazil. Electronic address: pedrosa.hc@globo.com. 4. Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 5416, São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, 15090-000, Brazil. Electronic address: fpires@terra.com.br. 5. Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, Rua Doutor Cesário Motta Júnior, 61, São Paulo, São Paulo, 01221-020, Brazil. Electronic address: jensalles@yahoo.com.br. 6. Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Rua Tessália Vieira de Camargo, 126, Campinas, São Paulo, 13083-887, Brazil. Electronic address: tambascia@terra.com.br. 7. Sociedade Brasileira de Diabetes, Rua Afonso Braz, 579, São Paulo, São Paulo, 04511-011, Brazil. Electronic address: turatti@uol.com.br.
Abstract
AIMS: We aimed to explore insulin initiation barriers in the Brazilian Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) elderly population, according to the physician's perspective, and suggest strategies to overcome them. METHODS: A 45-questions survey addressing issues as clinical characteristics, barriers to insulinization, and treatment strategies in elderly patients with T2DM, was sent to six endocrinologists from different Brazilian locations. Thereafter, all the respondents participated in a panel discussion to validate their responses and collect additional relevant data. RESULTS: Endocrinologists had at least 15 years of experience, with a mean of 63 elderly patients per month. Nearly 25% of the elderly patients were treated in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS, Unified Health System); only a quarter presented proper glycemic control. In contrast, 55% of the patients from private healthcare system presented adequate glycemic control. The main barriers for insulin initiation for patients, according to physicians' perspective, are side effects and negative perception over treatment (100%). For endocrinologists, main barriers were lack of time to guide patients and concern over side effects (83%). Therefore, specialists considered education for both healthcare professionals and patients as one of the most important strategies to circumvent the current scenario related insulin therapy among elderly patients in the country. CONCLUSION: Insulin therapy remains underused due to several barriers, such as concern over side effects and negative perception. Educational measures for patients and HCPs could improve the current scenario.
AIMS: We aimed to explore insulin initiation barriers in the Brazilian Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) elderly population, according to the physician's perspective, and suggest strategies to overcome them. METHODS: A 45-questions survey addressing issues as clinical characteristics, barriers to insulinization, and treatment strategies in elderly patients with T2DM, was sent to six endocrinologists from different Brazilian locations. Thereafter, all the respondents participated in a panel discussion to validate their responses and collect additional relevant data. RESULTS: Endocrinologists had at least 15 years of experience, with a mean of 63 elderly patients per month. Nearly 25% of the elderly patients were treated in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS, Unified Health System); only a quarter presented proper glycemic control. In contrast, 55% of the patients from private healthcare system presented adequate glycemic control. The main barriers for insulin initiation for patients, according to physicians' perspective, are side effects and negative perception over treatment (100%). For endocrinologists, main barriers were lack of time to guide patients and concern over side effects (83%). Therefore, specialists considered education for both healthcare professionals and patients as one of the most important strategies to circumvent the current scenario related insulin therapy among elderly patients in the country. CONCLUSION:Insulin therapy remains underused due to several barriers, such as concern over side effects and negative perception. Educational measures for patients and HCPs could improve the current scenario.