Researchers from Yonsei University Detail Findings in Type 2 Diabetes (Utilization Patterns of Insulin for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes From National Health Insurance Claims Data In South Korea)

2019 APR 16 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health & Medicine Business Daily -- Current study results on Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases and Conditions - Type 2 Diabetes have been published. According to news originating from Incheon, South Korea, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease that requires long-term therapy and regular check-ups to prevent complications. In this study, insurance claim data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) of Korea were used to investigate insulin use in T2DM patients according to the economic status of patients and their access to primary physicians, operationally defined as the frequently used medical care providers at the time of T2DM diagnosis.”

Financial support for this research came from Korea National Research Foundation.

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Yonsei University, “A total of 91,810 participants were included from the NHIS claims database for the period between 2002 and 2013. The utilization pattern of insulin was set as the dependent variable and classified as one of the following: non-use of antidiabetic drugs, use of oral antidiabetic drugs only, or use of insulin with or without oral antidiabetic drugs. The main independent variables of interest were level of income and access to a frequently-visited physician. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed. Insulin was used by 9,281 patients during the study period, while use was 2.874 times more frequent in the Medical-aid group than in the highest premium group [hazard ratio (HR): 2.874, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.588-3.192]. Insulin was also used similar to 50% more often in the patients managed by a frequently-visited physician than in those managed by other healthcare professionals (HR: 1.549, 95% CI: 1.434-1.624). The lag time to starting insulin was shorter when the patients had a low income and no frequently-visited physicians. Patients with a low level of income were more likely to use insulin and to have a shorter lag time from diagnosis to starting insulin. The likelihood of insulin being used was higher when the patients had a frequently-visited physician, particularly if they also had a low level of income. Therefore, the economic statuses of patients should be considered to ensure effective management of T2DM.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Utilizing frequently-visited physicians might improve the management of T2DM, particularly for patients with a low income.”

For more information on this research see: Utilization Patterns of Insulin for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes From National Health Insurance Claims Data In South Korea. PLOS ONE, 2019;14(3):. PLOS ONE can be contacted at: Public Library Science, 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA. (Public Library of Science - www.plos.org; PLOS ONE - www.plosone.org)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from M.J. Chang, Yonsei University, Dept Pharmaceut Med & Regulatory Sci, Coll Med & Pharm, Incheon, South Korea. Additional authors for this research include K.L. Min, E. Han, H. Koo, J.J. Choi and D.J. Kim.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210159. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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