Abstract
Aims: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are recommended second or third line therapy in type 2 diabetes and have become widely prescribed in primary care. We present a description of their current use and prescribing trends in UK primary care. Methods: A cohort of people with type 2 diabetes (N=34,278) was identified from the University of Surrey-Lilly Real World Evidence (RWE) centre database, using routinely collected primary care data. Monthly prescription data was extracted from primary care records on the use of DPP-4 inhibitors in this group. We report prescription numbers over time and the demographics of people prescribed these medications. Results: We found DPP-4 inhibitors were commonly prescribed with 6,306 (18.4%) people with type 2 diabetes initiated on them since January 2008. Prescription rates are continuing to climb with a maximum rate at the end of our study period (March 2015) of 1108 prescriptions per 10,000 people with type 2 diabetes per month. The mean age of those prescribed DPP-4 inhibitors was 63.5 (SD 12.3) years with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 32.1 (SD 6.2) kg/m2. People living in areas of highest deprivation were less likely to be prescribed DDP-4 inhibitors (most deprived two quintiles 17.1% of people prescribed a DPP-4; 95% CI 16.7-17.5%, least deprived three quintiles 20.3%; 95% CI 19.8-20.9%). Conclusions: DPP-4 use is now common and continues to increase. Use of these medications is lowest in the most deprived areas where diabetes control is often worst.