Keywords
Adult-onset diabetes mellitus - chronic kidney insufficiency - internal medicine -
medication error - residency and internship
INTRODUCTION
CKD is a global public health problem and in the United States it affects more than
30 million people.[1],[2] DM is a leading risk factor for CKD in the United States.[1] Patients with DM often use multiple medications to achieve glycemic control and
manage their comorbidities.[3] Patients with CKD, DM, and particularly elderly patients with DM are at high risk
for adverse drug events (ADEs) from polypharmacy due to the altered pharmacokinetics
of parent drugs and their metabolites.[4],[5]
A common cause of dose-related ADEs is failure to properly adjust doses for renal
dysfunction.[6] Almost half of the patients with DM and CKD are treated only by primary care physicians
(PCPs), with a small number of patients being comanaged by either endocrinologists
or nephrologists.[7] Half of all ADEs/ADE-related hospitalizations can be prevented by avoiding inappropriate
prescribing from PCPs.[8] Inappropriate dose prescribing also includes medication dose modifications done
by the hospital medicine team, often Internal Medicine residency trainees and graduates,
on patient discharge and before patients being seen by their PCPs.[9]
There does not appear to be any research about whether IMHS possess the necessary
awareness and knowledge to prescribe the correct doses of antidiabetic medications
in patients with CKD. This study reports percentages for incorrect level of awareness
for antidiabetic medication dose adjustment in patients with CKD (ILA) and also incorrect
level of knowledge of ILK-GFR for Glipizide, Pioglitazone, and Sitagliptin in patients
with impaired renal function. This study conducts exploratory analyses to determine
potential variables associated with this incorrect awareness and knowledge.
METHODS
There were 353 IMHS anonymously surveyed to assess awareness and knowledge for dosage
adjustment of commonly used diabetes medications in patients with DM and CKD. IMHS
are those resident physician trainees that have obtained either an MD, DO, or MBBS
degree. Survey sites were six hospitals located in the New York City metropolitan
area. The survey was distributed and collected at all hospitals before the beginning
of an IMHS conference. IMHS were included across all levels of training. The study
received IRB approval. All participants provided informed consent.
Demographic variables were age (years), sex, training level (PGY1, PGY2, PGY3 or greater),
and medical school graduate type (U.S. allopathic, U.S. osteopathic, international
medical school with U.S. clinical rotation, international medical school without U.S.
clinical rotation). The kidney disease history variable consisted of the presence
of previous kidney problems among oneself, one’s children, or significant other or
any first-degree relatives. There were a few variables about increased Nephrology
exposure and consisted of renal clinic experience of 10 or more times attending a
renal clinic as part of training, participating in a Nephrology rotation in medical
school, participating in a Nephrology rotation in medical residency, and interest
in studying and training in Nephrology in the future.
We included the diabetes medications that were more commonly prescribed by our hospital’s
pharmacy. These medications were Glipizide, Pioglitazone, and Sitagliptin. Participants
could choose to respond with the options listed later for each diabetes medication.
Diabetes medication (1) does not need dose adjustment, (2) needs dose adjustment at
glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <90mL/min, (3) needs dose adjustment at GFR<60mL/min,
(4) needs dose adjustment at GFR <30mL/min, and (5) I do not know.
We had two different outcomes for the IMHS. One of the outcomes was to measure awareness
for whether the diabetes medication dose needed to be adjusted in the setting of compromised
renal function [“incorrect level of awareness of medication dose adjustment in patients
with CKD (ILA)”]. The other outcome was to measure knowledge for whether IMHS were
knowledgeable about the level of GFR that a specific medication for diabetes needed
to be adjusted [“incorrect level of knowledge of glomerular filtration rate level
for medication adjustment in patients with CKD (ILK-GFR)”]. This knowledge was based
on the guidelines from the Physicians’ Desk Reference for dosing these diabetes medications
when treating patients with CKD.[10] The Physicians’ Desk Reference compiles complete United States Food and Drug Administration
approved drug label information.
Statistical analysis
Descriptive statistics were used with mean and standard deviation for the continuous
variables and frequency and percentage for the categorical variables. Exploratory
multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted with the two different outcomes
of ILA and ILK-GFR. Predictors for these analyses included demographics (age, sex),
training characteristics (residency training level, type of physician training), kidney
disease personal/family history, clinical training (renal clinic, Nephrology rotation
in medical school, Nephrology rotation in residency), and further interest in Nephrology
training. IBM SPSS Statistics Version 22 was used for all analyses. All p-values were
two-sided.
RESULTS
The sample characteristics are described in [Table 1]. Mean participant age was somewhat older than 29 years. The sample had slightly
less women. PGY2 and PGY3 and greater each comprised approximately one-quarter. Almost
half consisted of international with U.S. clinical rotation or international without
U.S. clinical rotation. For kidney disease history and participation substantially
in renal clinics, they were each reported by slightly more than one-tenth. Both Nephrology
rotation in medical school and Nephrology rotation in residency were reported by slightly
more than one-quarter. Almost one-quarter had further training interest in Nephrology.
Table 1
Descriptive statistics of a sample of 353 internal medicine house-staff
|
Variables
|
Frequency or mean
|
Percent or SD
|
|
Note: SD = standard deviation. Sex above adds up to 99.99% due to rounding to one
decimal point. Precise percentages to total 100% are: men: 52.1246%, women: 45.0425%,
and missing: 2.8329%.
|
|
Age (years) [mean]
|
29.2
|
2.95
|
|
Sex
|
|
|
|
Men
|
184
|
52.1
|
|
Women
|
159
|
45.0
|
|
Missing
|
10
|
2.8
|
|
Training
|
|
|
|
PGY1
|
158
|
44.8
|
|
PGY2
|
101
|
28.6
|
|
PGY3 and greater
|
82
|
23.2
|
|
Missing
|
12
|
3.4
|
|
School
|
|
|
|
U.S. allopathic
|
123
|
34.8
|
|
U.S. osteopathic
|
42
|
11.9
|
|
International with U.S. clinical rotation
|
109
|
30.9
|
|
International without U.S. clinical rotation
|
61
|
17.3
|
|
Missing
|
18
|
5.1
|
|
Kidney disease history (yes)
|
38
|
10.8
|
|
Missing
|
9
|
2.5
|
|
Renal clinic (yes)
|
38
|
10.8
|
|
Missing
|
12
|
3.4
|
|
Nephrology rotation medical school (yes)
|
100
|
28.3
|
|
Missing
|
13
|
3.7
|
|
Nephrology rotation residency (yes)
|
96
|
27.2
|
|
Missing
|
9
|
2.5
|
|
Nephrology further training interest (yes)
|
79
|
22.4
|
|
Missing
|
15
|
4.2
|
[Figure 1] shows percentages for perception of ILA and ILK-GFR. For ILA, both Glipizide and
Sitagliptin were above 40% whereas Pioglitazone was above 70%. For ILK-GFR, Pioglitazone
had the same percentage whereas both Glipizide and Sitagliptin increased to greater
than 60%.
Figure 1: Percentages for incorrect level of awareness of medication dose needs adjustment
(ILA) and incorrect level of knowledge of medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate
GFR level (ILK-GFR) for diabetes medications
[Table 2] shows exploratory multivariate logistic regression analyses for ILA. For Glipizide,
women had statistically significant higher odds as compared with men for incorrect
medication dose needs adjustment. PGY1 had statistically significant higher odds as
compared with the reference group of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication dose
needs adjustment. For Pioglitazone, PGY2 had statistically significant higher odds
as compared with the reference group of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication
dose needs adjustment. Those with schooling of international with U.S. clinical rotation
had statistically significant lower odds as compared with the reference group of U.S.
allopathy for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment. For Sitagliptin, women had
statistically significant lower odds as compared with men for incorrect medication
dose needs adjustment. PGY1 had statistically significant higher odds as compared
with the reference group of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment.
Those with international schooling with U.S. clinical rotation had statistically significant
higher odds as compared with the reference group of U.S. allopathy for incorrect medication
dose needs adjustment. Those with a nephrology rotation during residency had statistically
significant lower odds for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment.
Table 2
Multivariate logistic regression analyses for incorrect level of awareness of medication
dose needs adjustment
|
Variables
|
GLI OR
|
95% C1
|
P-value
|
PIO OR
|
95% C1
|
P-value
|
SIT OR
|
95% C1
|
P-value
|
|
Values that are bold/italics are those that are statistically significant
Note: GLI = Glipizide, PIO = Pioglitazone, SIT = Sitagliptin, OR = odds ratio, CI
= confidence interval
|
|
Age (years)
|
1.00
|
0.91, 1.11
|
0.93
|
0.97
|
0.87, 1.07
|
0.51
|
1.02
|
0.93, 1.12
|
0.73
|
|
Sex (women)
|
1.73
|
1.03, 2.91
|
0.04
|
1.18
|
0.65, 2.14
|
0.59
|
0.56
|
0.33, 0.95
|
0.03
|
|
Training
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGY3 and greater
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
|
PGY1
|
4.55
|
2.19, 9.45
|
<0.00l
|
1.98
|
0.97, 4.06
|
0.06
|
3.06
|
1.52, 6.14
|
0.002
|
|
PGY2
|
2.05
|
0.94, 4.46
|
0.07
|
2.33
|
1.05, 5.14
|
0.04
|
1.54
|
0.74, 3.24
|
0.25
|
|
School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. allopathic
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
|
U.S. osteopathic
|
1.64
|
0.70, 3.84
|
0.25
|
0.40
|
0.16, 1.03
|
0.06
|
1.68
|
0.74, 3.84
|
0.22
|
|
International with
|
0.91
|
0.47, 1.75
|
0.78
|
0.39
|
0.19, 0.80
|
0.0l
|
2.59
|
1.35, 4.97
|
0.004
|
|
U.S. clinical rotation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International without
|
1.60
|
0.72, 3.55
|
0.25
|
0.85
|
0.33, 2.17
|
0.73
|
1.46
|
0.66, 3.24
|
0.36
|
|
U.S. clinical rotation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kidney disease history
|
1.07
|
0.45, 2.52
|
0.88
|
1.44
|
0.51, 4.09
|
0.50
|
0.50
|
0.21, 1.21
|
0.12
|
|
Renal clinic
|
0.50
|
0.19, 1.32
|
0.16
|
1.28
|
0.44, 3.67
|
0.65
|
0.63
|
0.25, 1.61
|
0.33
|
|
Nephrology rotation medical school
|
0.88
|
0.48, 1.60
|
0.68
|
1.21
|
0.62, 2.37
|
0.57
|
0.77
|
0.43, 1.37
|
0.37
|
|
Nephrology rotation residency
|
0.69
|
0.38, 1.24
|
0.21
|
1.01
|
0.52, 1.96
|
0.97
|
0.56
|
0.31, 0.998
|
0.049
|
|
Nephrology further training interest
|
1.36
|
0.72, 2.56
|
0.35
|
1.56
|
0.73, 3.34
|
0.25
|
0.92
|
0.50, 1.71
|
0.79
|
[Table 3] shows exploratory multivariate logistic regression analyses for ILK-GFR. For Glipizide,
PGY1 had statistically significant higher odds as compared with the reference group
of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate
GFR level. Those with international schooling without U.S. clinical rotation had statistically
significant higher odds as compared with the reference group of U.S. allopathy for
incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate GFR level. Those with a
nephrology rotation during medical school had statistically significant lower odds
for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate GFR level. For Pioglitazone,
PGY2 had statistically significant higher odds as compared with the reference group
of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate
GFR level. Also, those with international schooling with U.S. clinical rotation had
statistically significant lower odds as compared with the reference group of U.S.
allopathy for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate GFR level.
For Sitagliptin, PGY1 had statistically significant higher odds as compared with the
reference group of PGY3 and greater for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment
at appropriate GFR level. Those with a kidney disease history had statistically significant
lower odds for incorrect medication dose needs adjustment at appropriate GFR level.
Table 3
Multivariate logistic regression analyses for incorrect level of knowledge of medication
dose needs adjustment at appropriate GFR level
|
Variables
|
GLI OR
|
95% C1
|
p-value
|
PIO OR
|
95% C1
|
p-value
|
SIT OR
|
95% C1
|
p-value
|
|
Values that are bold/italics are those that are statistically significant
Note: GLI = Glipizide, PIO = Pioglitazone, SIT = Sitagliptin, OR = odds ratio, CI
= confidence interval
|
|
Age (years)
|
0.96
|
0.87, 1.06
|
0.40
|
0.97
|
0.87, 1.07
|
0.51
|
1.00
|
0.91, 1.10
|
0.96
|
|
Sex (women)
|
1.42
|
0.81, 2.51
|
0.22
|
1.18
|
0.65, 2.14
|
0.59
|
0.79
|
0.46, 1.34
|
0.37
|
|
Training
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PGY3 and greater
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
|
PGY1
|
2.53
|
1.23,5.23
|
0.0l
|
1.98
|
0.97, 4.06
|
0.06
|
2.32
|
1.17. 4.61
|
0.02
|
|
PGY2
|
1.24
|
0.60, 2.55
|
0.57
|
2.33
|
1.05, 5.14
|
0.04
|
1.36
|
0.68, 2.72
|
0.39
|
|
School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. allopathic
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
Reference group
|
|
|
|
U.S. osteopathic
|
1.27
|
0.51, 3.11
|
0.61
|
0.40
|
0.16, 1.03
|
0.06
|
1.28
|
0.55, 2.98
|
0.57
|
|
International with U.S. clinical rotation
|
1.91
|
0.94, 3.87
|
0.07
|
0.39
|
0.19, 0.80
|
0.0l
|
1.70
|
0.88, 3.31
|
0.12
|
|
International without
|
3.13
|
1.26, 7.77
|
0.0l
|
0.85
|
0.33, 2.17
|
0.73
|
1.97
|
0.86, 4.50
|
0.11
|
|
U.S. clinical rotation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kidney disease history
|
1.94
|
0.72, 5.22
|
0.19
|
1.44
|
0.51, 4.09
|
0.50
|
0.43
|
0.19, 0.97
|
0.04
|
|
Renal clinic
|
0.77
|
0.30, 1.99
|
0.59
|
1.28
|
0.44, 3.67
|
0.65
|
0.74
|
0.30, 1.83
|
0.52
|
|
Nephrology rotation medical school
|
0.52
|
0.28, 0.97
|
0.04
|
1.21
|
0.62, 2.37
|
0.57
|
0.61
|
0.34, 1.09
|
0.10
|
|
Nephrology rotation residency
|
0.73
|
0.40, 1.35
|
0.32
|
1.01
|
0.52, 1.96
|
0.97
|
0.81
|
0.45, 1.43
|
0.46
|
|
Nephrology further training interest
|
1.75
|
0.84, 3.65
|
0.14
|
1.56
|
0.73, 3.34
|
0.25
|
1.01
|
0.53, 1.92
|
0.99
|
DISCUSSION
This study found that there were high percentages and high odds for incorrect level
of awareness of medication dose adjustment in patients with CKD (ILA) and incorrect
level of knowledge of ILK-GFR in patients with CKD for Glipizide, Pioglitazone, and
Sitagliptin among IMHS [see [Figure 1]. Exploratory analyses for antidiabetic medications showed that PGY1 and PGY2 had
higher odds for both ILA and ILK-GFR. Graduates of international medical schools without
U.S. clinical rotations had higher odds for ILK-GFR for Glipizide. IMHS with greater
exposure to nephrology (i.e. Nephrology rotation in medical school or residency and
personal/family history of kidney disease) had lower odds of ILA or ILK-GFR. Women
and graduates of international medical schools with U.S. clinical rotations had mixed
patterns for ILA or ILK-GFR. Women had higher odds for ILA with Glipizide but lower
odds for ILA with Sitagliptin. Graduates of international medical schools with U.S.
clinical rotations had higher odds for ILA with Sitagliptin but lower odds for ILA
and ILK-GFR with Pioglitazone.
ILA and ILK-GFR were highest in Pioglitazone, with almost three-quarters of IMHS responding
incorrectly to dose adjustments. For Glipizide and Sitagliptin, almost half of IMHS
responded incorrectly to dose adjustments for ILA and about two-thirds for ILK-GFR.
The current study results are similar to international findings, which showed that
prescribers did not make adequate drug dose adjustments for two-thirds of antidiabetic
medications and in 29–74% of patients with renal impairment.[11],[12] Recently, some European and many South Asian countries suspended Pioglitazone use
due its adverse side-effect profile.[13] This could have led to decreased focus on education about Pioglitazone and, consequently,
decreased awareness and knowledge among the IMHS that trained or worked in these countries.
Glipizide is a well-established antidiabetic medication with recognized deleterious
side-effects of hypoglycemia and weight gain.[14] As Sitagliptin is a relatively new medication with a better and safer side-effect
profile,[14],[15] more robust efforts were provided to educate clinicians about its use.[16] These medication attributes likely resulted in greater didactic focus and may have
been the reason for the somewhat improved awareness and knowledge, although overall
both were still quite poor. One potential explanation for the overall poor awareness
and knowledge for dose adjusting among IMHS is didactic emphasis on use of antidiabetic
medications in the general DM population rather than in those with CKD.[17]
To improve patient safety, it is important to implement strategies to prevent medication
dosing errors. Having additional nephrology education either in medical school or
in residency is associated with improved level of awareness and knowledge among IMHS.[18] Both internal medicine residents and PCPs have gaps in their knowledge of CKD practice
guidelines and treatment of CKD complications.[19] Improved education of CKD among training physicians can result in improved patient
care and clinical outcomes.[18] This may come in the form of additional ambulatory Nephrology exposure as conditions
such as CKD are best taught in the outpatient setting.[20]
Another strategy to improve patient safety and quality of patient care is to implement
an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) best practice advisory. As EMR is now being widely
adopted across the United States, it provides a unique opportunity to minimize dosing
errors by supporting enhanced adherence to clinical dosing guidelines in both inpatient
and outpatient settings.[21] The EMR can support a complex, dynamic, medical decision-making process that results
in improved medication management by enabling more accurate, comprehensive, and automated
medication prescribing and delivery.[22] In addition to improving medication documentation, identification of patients affected
by a drug recall, and managing prescriptions for controlled drugs more effectively,
the EMR advisory can identify and flag drug interactions, and ensure appropriate and
safe drug prescribing for the level of CKD.[23]
Pharmacist support provides another level of enhanced patient safety and medication
dosing optimization in patients with CKD.[24] Pharmacists integrated in ambulatory care reduce hospitalizations by more than 20%,
resulting in significant cost savings per patient.[25] Despite the overwhelmingly positive impact of pharmacist services on patient outcomes,
the integration of pharmacists in ambulatory care programs is not widespread. This
is a missed opportunity as collaborative care between pharmacists and physicians improves
pharmacotherapeutic outcomes and provides increased value and efficiency to the health-care
system.[24] The three types of pharmacist collaborative care models: (1) a pharmacist with physician
oversight, (2) pharmacist–interprofessional teams, and (3) physician–pharmacist teams
that are being suggested for physician–pharmacist collaborative drug therapy management
have demonstrated the positive impact in patients with chronic conditions, including
DM and CKD.[24]
The data from our study are very similar to data reported from IMHS training in the
United States and, therefore, can be generalizable. In a report for those training
in the 2015–2016 academic year, the ACGME reported that 24,983 IMHS participated in
training in the United States.[26] Our study reported a mean age of 29.2 years and with a sex representation at 45%
from females. Our study is similar to the data reported from the U.S. national training
data of IMHS with a mean age of 29.3 years and with a sex representation at 41% from
females.[26] Our sample from New York State reported 48.2% IMGS, which is similar to the ACGME
report of 41.2% IMGs for the whole New York State and 40.0% throughout the United
States.[26] The training level from our sample for each level of training is similar to the
statistics overall in the United States: 44.8% current sample versus 39.9% U.S. national
for PGY1 trainees, 28.6% current sample versus 30.7% U.S. national for PGY2 trainees,
and 23.2% current sample versus 29.4% U.S. national for PGY3 trainees.[26]
A strength of our study is that we did not allow the physicians participating to use
computer-based or cellular-phone-based apps or programs to assist in answering our
survey questions about prescription dose adjustment and thus we are best measuring
physician awareness and knowledge. We agree that these apps and programs are potentially
available in clinical practice. However, physicians are busy and typically do not
often use these apps and programs.[27] The study has several limitations. First, our study is from one geographic area
and may not generalize to other areas. Second, we chose medications based on what
diabetes medications are often prescribed at our institution. Each institution may
have different preferences for the medications used to treat diabetes. Third, we did
not include Endocrinology rotation as a variable. It is possible that an Endocrinology
rotation could be comparable to Nephrology rotation with the exposure to a daily prescription
of antidiabetic medications. Fourth, it is also possible that results might slightly
differ if someone had more than one exposure from the three Nephrology clinical training
variables. Fifth, there is the possibility of recall bias in the self-reported survey
responses.
In conclusion, there was an overall poor awareness and knowledge among IMHS for proper
dose adjustments with antidiabetic medications in patients with CKD. Poor knowledge
of renal dosing guidelines has been identified as a major cause of prescribing errors
and the resulting morbidity and occasionally mortality.[6],[8] It appears that current medical education and training has deficiencies in the area
of medication dose adjustment for renal dysfunction, thus potentially negatively impacting
patient safety. Both EMR best practice advisory and physician–pharmacist collaborative
drug therapy management can improve patient safety by appropriate adjustment of medications
in patients with CKD. The role of PCPs in the management of patients with DM and CKD
is becoming more essential due to the increasing prevalence of both DM and CKD.[2],[6] As PCPs prescribe the majority of antidiabetic medications, it is essential that
IMHS receive more Nephrology clinical exposure and formal didactic educational training
during residency for dose adjustment in patients with CKD. This can ensure appropriate
and safe prescribing.