An observational study of glycemic control in canagliflozin treated patients

Objective:

To evaluate changes in glycemic control following the initial canagliflozin pharmacy claim in a real-world population.

Research design and methods:

A retrospective cohort analysis of adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was conducted using 2013 medical, pharmacy and laboratory claims from the Inovalon MORE2 Registry. Patients with T2DM aged ≥18 years with ≥60 days of canagliflozin supply and HbA1c test results within 120 days before and ≥60 days after initial canagliflozin claim (defined as index date) were included. The differences between HbA1c levels pre- and post-index were assessed. Changes pre- and post-index in Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) glycemic control criteria of HbA1c <7% and <8% and poor control of HbA1c >9% were evaluated. Subgroup analyses of patients with HbA1c >7% at baseline and patients aged ≥65 were also conducted.

Results:

Among the 268 patients meeting the study criteria, mean HbA1c pre-index was 8.3% and post-index was 7.6%; the mean reduction in HbA1c pre–post index was 0.7% (95% CI: 0.6%, 0.9%). The proportions of patients meeting the HEDIS glycemic control measures (HbA1c <7%, <8% and poor control of >9%) improved and was significantly different pre- and post-index (all p < 0.001). Of the patients with an HbA1c >7% prior to index (81% of the cohort; mean pre-index HbA1c = 8.8%), HbA1c was reduced by 0.9% (95% CI: 0.8%, 1.1%). The aged ≥65 subgroup consisted of 15% of the cohort, with a pre-index HbA1c of 8.3%. The mean reduction in HbA1c test results pre- and post-canagliflozin index was 0.6% (95% CI: 0.4%, 0.9%). This analysis did not adjust for changes in antihyperglycemic agents during the study period.

Conclusion:

Patients with T2DM were observed to have improved glycemic control following initial canagliflozin pharmacy claim as measured by HbA1c change and attainment of specific glycemic control criteria.