Many people with diabetes type do not receive medication. From recent research by Level it now appears that about 50 percent of new type 2 diabetes patients are not prescribed any medication in the first year after diagnosis. Young people in particular who first go to a dietitian start taking medication late – or not at all. Healthcare providers agree to first start with lifestyle guidance if appropriate.
It has of course been known for some time that lifestyle changes form the basis of treatment for type 2 diabetes. Only if insufficient results are achieved can you choose to start medication. This also depends on the patient's glucose level. People with severely elevated glucose levels start medication more quickly than people with less elevated blood sugar levels.
It is striking that it is especially worthwhile for young people to visit a dietician. This means that medication can be started later. Furthermore, the research shows that men are more likely to take medication than women. This is undoubtedly due to the average overweight. It percentage of men women who are overweight is greater than the percentage of women who are overweight.
Type 2 patients who visit a dietician are more likely to be (seriously) overweight. This results in elevated glucose levels. However, this group does not start medication earlier than other people with type 2 diabetes. It is quite possible that patients with a higher risk of complications receive more guidance from a dietitian. As a result, it may not be necessary to start medication quickly.
About the research
Nivel investigated the care that patients with type 2 diabetes receive from their GP and dietitian. The research is based on data from almost 10.000 patients with type 2 diabetes from 308 general practices and 84 dieticians. In addition, interviews were conducted with seven healthcare providers to interpret the results.