This indicator shows the number and percent of people with diabetes receiving metformin regularly. Regular use was defined as metformin dispensed in three or more quarters in a year.
Analysing variation in metformin usage can offer insights into several aspects of diabetes management, including health care access and quality, provider practice, patient preferences, health literacy, adherence and tolerability. This information is valuable for designing targeted interventions to improve diabetes care and reduce disparities in health care delivery. Metformin is commonly prescribed medicine for type 2 diabetes. Low metformin usage is a significant concern that warrants further investigation to identify the underlying contributing factors.
People with diabetes dispensed metformin in three or four quarters in the relevant year.
Numerator detail
Medications: 179401 & 179402 metformin hydrochloride
410426 vildagliptin with metformin hydrochloride
413825, 413826, 413827 and 413828 empagliflozin with metformin hydrochloride
Count of distinct master NHIs identified as having diabetes as per the VDR.
Disaggregation
For single map analysis: By year (2018‒22), age group (0‒14 years, 15‒24 years, 25‒44 years, 45‒64 years, 65‒74 years and 75+ years), gender (female and male), ethnic group (Māori, Pacific peoples, Indian and European/other) and Health New Zealand district of domicile.
For PHO analysis: By year (2022), age group (0‒14 years, 15‒24 years, 25‒44 years, 45‒64 years, 65‒74 years and 75+ years), gender (female and male), ethnic group (Māori, Pacific peoples, Indian and European/other), PHO most recently enrolled with (for the relevant year), PHO group (small, medium, medium‒large and large).
- Data is not presented where the number of people in the numerator was less than 10. This is to preserve confidentiality.
- Ethnicity data presented is prioritised ethnic group (Māori, Pacific peoples, Indian and European/other).
- For all indicators, individuals with missing values for any of the variables of interest (age, gender, ethnicity and district) are excluded completely. For instance, if there are any missing values for age, they are excluded from all analyses. This approach ensures a consistent denominator throughout the analyses.
- Demographic information is taken from the VDR.
Exclusions
- People who died during the year
- People not enrolled in a PHO