Regional differences in type 2 diabetes treatment and outcomes in Germany-An analysis of the German DPV and DIVE registries.

AIMS: On the basis of the Diabetes Versorgungs-Evaluation (DIVE) and Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation (DPV) datasets, we aimed to explore the impact of differences in treatment modalities on outcomes in Germany and put these into a global context.

METHODS: The 2014 to 2016 DIVE and DPV databases were combined, and a total of 127 838 patients 18 years and older was analysed with respect to demographics, cardiovascular risk factors, comorbidities, treatments, and outcomes, separately for each German state. Estimates were expressed as adjusted least squares means together with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: Saarland dataset recorded the lowest mean HbA1c (6.7%; 6.6%-6.8%; 50 mmol/mol, 49-51 mmol/mol), Saxony-Anhalt showed the highest (8.3%; 8.2%-8.3%; 67 mmol/mol, 66-67 mmol/mol). The highest percentage of hypoglycaemic events was reported in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania (MWP) (4.7%; 3.9%-5.7%), the lowest in Thuringia (0.9%; 0.2%-3.4%). Metformin and sulfonylurea accounted for 36.4% to 53.3% of anti-diabetic treatments across states; other antihyperglycaemic drugs such as DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and GLP-1 analogues were used most often in MWP (40.0%; 37.8%-42.1%) and least in Rhineland-Palatinate (13.6%; 13.0%-14.2%). Treatment with insulin (alone or in combination) was reported most often in MWP (78.2%; 76.4%-80.0%) and least in Thuringia (26.0%; 20.1%-32.9%).

CONCLUSIONS: Federal states in Germany are heterogeneous concerning diabetes treatment and associated outcomes. These data should stimulate further discussion about how optimal diabetes care can be implemented in all areas of Germany, to achieve good treatment outcomes in all federal states.