Barriers to insulin initiation in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Brazil

Aims

We aimed to explore insulin initiation barriers in the Brazilian Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) elderly population, according to the physician’s perspective, and suggest strategies to overcome them.

Methods

A 45-questions survey addressing issues as clinical characteristics, barriers to insulinization, and treatment strategies in elderly patients with T2DM, was sent to six endocrinologists from different Brazilian locations. Thereafter, all the respondents participated in a panel discussion to validate their responses and collect additional relevant data.

Results

Endocrinologists had at least 15 years of experience, with a mean of 63 elderly patients per month. Nearly 25% of the elderly patients were treated in the Brazilian public healthcare system (SUS, Unified Health System); only a quarter presented proper glycemic control. In contrast, 55% of the patients from private healthcare system presented adequate glycemic control. The main barriers for insulin initiation for patients, according to physicians’ perspective, are side effects and negative perception over treatment (100%). For endocrinologists, main barriers were lack of time to guide patients and concern over side effects (83%). Therefore, specialists considered education for both healthcare professionals and patients as one of the most important strategies to circumvent the current scenario related insulin therapy among elderly patients in the country.

Conclusion

Insulin therapy remains underused due to several barriers, such as concern over side effects and negative perception. Educational measures for patients and HCPs could improve the current scenario.