Abstract
Background: Metformin extended-release (XR) is a once-daily alternative conventional immediate-release (IR) tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the use of metformin XR tablets among clinicians. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among endocrinologists, general practitioners, and internists, who are taking routine care of adults with type 2 diabetes in health institutes at all levels in Sichuan Province, China. We designed an online questionnaire including the demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and practice about metformin XR tablets. Results: We included 158 clinicians, 67.7% of whom were females and 63.9% were from tertiary hospitals. The median age was 39.6 years (ranging between 22 and 62 years). Only 8.2% of the clinicians correctly answered the knowledge questions, 82.3% and 62.0% of the responders assumed that metformin XR had superior efficacy and tolerability to the metformin IR, respectively. Only 46.8% of the clinicians prescribed the metformin XR based on the patient’s preference for once daily frequency. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, and practice of metformin XR among Chinese clinicians need improving. Clinicians need credible information to support their clinical decision-making regarding metformin XR.
Highlights
Type 2 diabetes is the leading burdensome chronic disease in China (Li et al, 2018; Li et al, 2020a)
Our results suggest that a misconception of the features of metformin XR is common among Chinese clinicians, which may lead to inappropriate prescription and fluctuation of long-term glucose control (Li et al, 2020b)
Our current study suggests a similar insufficiency of KAP of metformin XR among clinicians compared to adults living with type 2 diabetes, based on our previous findings (Liu et al, 2021)
Summary
Type 2 diabetes is the leading burdensome chronic disease in China (Li et al, 2018; Li et al, 2020a). Metformin is one of the most frequently prescribed anti-diabetic agents (Inzucchi et al, 2015) and was further demonstrated to be effective in preventing diabetes among the high-risk population by Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP)/DPP Outcomes Study (DPPOS) (Diabetes Prevention Progr, 2015). Over the past two decades, metformin has expanded its role with an array of preparations, notably extended-release (XR), a formulation developed as an alternative to conventional immediate-release (IR) tablets, is intended to be used as part of a once-daily dosing regimen (Fujita and Inagaki, 2017). Several studies have suggested that metformin XR is associated with fewer gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (Gao et al, 2008; Donnelly et al, 2009). Metformin extended-release (XR) is a once-daily alternative conventional immediate-release (IR) tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes
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