15 Sep Patients Frequently Decline Insulin For About Two Years After Recommendation
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Turchin
Alexander Turchin, MD, MS
Director of Quality in
Diabetes in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Anecdotally, many clinicians report that their patients with diabetes frequently decline recommendations to start treatment with insulin. However, until now, there was no systematic information available on this phenomenon.
Our study has found that 30% of patients initially decline their healthcare providers’ recommendation to start insulin therapy. Patients who do ultimately start treatment with insulin, do it on average more than two years after initially declining it.
MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: Decline of insulin therapy by patients is a common phenomenon that may have a significant impact on treatment and outcomes of diabetes.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future research should focus on reasons for decline of insulin therapy by patients, and its long-term clinical outcomes.
Disclosures: The study was funded by Sanofi. I have also received consulting fees (unrelated to this study) from Novo Nordisk and Monarch Medical Technologies.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation: Hosomura, S. Malmasi, D. Timerman, V.J. Lei, H. Zhang, L. Chang, A. Turchin. Decline of insulin therapy and delays in insulin initiation in people with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. Diabetic Medicine, 2017; DOI: 10.1111/dme.13454
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on September 15, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD