A National Physician Survey Examining Switching From Sulfonylureas or Insulin to Newer Diabetes Medications

Scott J. Pilla; Isabelle J. Wang; Olive Tang; Nancy L. Schoenborn; Cynthia M. Boyd; Michael P. Bancks; Nestoras N. Mathioudakis; Nisa M. Maruthur

doi:10.2337/cd24-0043

A National Physician Survey Examining Switching From Sulfonylureas or Insulin to Newer Diabetes Medications

Scott J. Pilla, Isabelle J. Wang, Olive Tang, Nancy L. Schoenborn, Cynthia M. Boyd, Michael P. Bancks, Nestoras N. Mathioudakis, Nisa M. Maruthur

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This study was a national survey of U.S. physicians in generalmedicine, geriatrics, or endocrinology who were asked what medication change they would make for adults with type 2 diabetes taking sulfonylureas or insulin with an A1C below their individualized goal. Responding physicians switched the hypoglycemiacausing medication a median of 4 times (interquartile range 1-9) among 27 opportunities and selected dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors most often when switching. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors were selected less frequently, including when indicated for cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, but significantly more often among physicians caring for a greater proportion of patients with private health insurance. Overcoming barriers to switching hypoglycemia-causing medications may help to reduce rates of hypoglycemia while targeting cardiovascular and renal comorbidities.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	33-42
Number of pages	10
Journal	Clinical Diabetes
Volume	43
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2337/cd24-0043
State	Published - Dec 2025
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Internal Medicine
Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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10.2337/cd24-0043

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title = "A National Physician Survey Examining Switching From Sulfonylureas or Insulin to Newer Diabetes Medications",

abstract = "This study was a national survey of U.S. physicians in generalmedicine, geriatrics, or endocrinology who were asked what medication change they would make for adults with type 2 diabetes taking sulfonylureas or insulin with an A1C below their individualized goal. Responding physicians switched the hypoglycemiacausing medication a median of 4 times (interquartile range 1-9) among 27 opportunities and selected dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors most often when switching. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors were selected less frequently, including when indicated for cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, but significantly more often among physicians caring for a greater proportion of patients with private health insurance. Overcoming barriers to switching hypoglycemia-causing medications may help to reduce rates of hypoglycemia while targeting cardiovascular and renal comorbidities.",

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AU - Pilla, Scott J.

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AU - Tang, Olive

AU - Schoenborn, Nancy L.

AU - Boyd, Cynthia M.

AU - Bancks, Michael P.

AU - Mathioudakis, Nestoras N.

AU - Maruthur, Nisa M.

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A National Physician Survey Examining Switching From Sulfonylureas or Insulin to Newer Diabetes Medications

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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