The Pattern of Anti?hyperglycemic Medication use in Subjects Attending the Diabetes Center in Basrah, Iraq

Background: Metformin remains the most widely used first?line drug and is the cornerstone of type 2 diabetes treatment. The aim of the study is to explore the prescribing trends for anti?hyperglycemic agents used among a cohort of diabetics before they registered in the Diabetes Center in Basrah for the first time. Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted for the period from January 2010 to December 2011. Results: Results of 2,123 consecutive patients with type 2 diabetes, who participated, were analyzed. Oral anti?hyperglycemic therapy was given for 64.8 % of our patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The majority of prescriptions were self?prescriptions (44.1%). Most of the general practitioners prescribe glibenclamide alone (74.5%).Eighty point four percent didn't receive metformin. General practitioners mainly prescribe for illiterate people (29.3%) while internists mainly prescribe for university graduates (34.3%). Twenty nine point seven percent received no drug therapy despite poor glycemic control. Conclusion: Most of our patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were already on oral antihyperglycemic therapy, but the majority didn't receive the first line drug, metformin. The attitude of physicians in primary care about management of type 2 diabetes mellitus needs to be re?evaluated urgently.