Table 1.
Cohort characteristics of pharmacotherapeutically treated diabetic patients enrolled in Medicare between 2006 and 2012 overall and by sex
| Cohort characteristics | Prevalent cohort (N = 1,161,443)a | Incident cohort (N = 320,090)a |
|---|---|---|
| Follow-up months | 42.2 (26.4) | 37.3 (23.3) |
| Female | 62.5% | 62.4% |
| Age, years | 75.1 (7.5) | 76.7 (7.2) |
| Race | ||
| Black | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| Hispanic | 9.8% | 9.3% |
| White and other | 79.4% | 81.3% |
| Low-income subsidyb | 42.1% | 41.7% |
| Obese | 7.7% | 7.2% |
| COPD/tobacco usec | 18.9% | 22.7% |
| Charlson comorbiditiesd | 0.9 (1.2) | 1.0 (1.3) |
| Number of diabetes complicationse | ||
| 0–1 | 95.5% | 97.5% |
| 2 | 3.6% | 2.0% |
| ≥3 | 0.9% | 0.5% |
Data in table are presented as the mean with the standard deviation (SD) in parenthesis, or as the percentage
COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
aPatients were included in the prevalent cohort if (1) they had filled at least one diabetes-specific prescription between 2006 and 2012, and (2) the prescription receipt was preceded by at least 24 months of continuous enrollment in Parts A and B of the Medicare fee-for-service plan. Patients were included in the incident cohort if their first fill for a diabetes medication between 2006 and 2012 was preceded by 120 days of enrollment in Part D of the Medicare fee-for-service plan
bA dichotomous indicator of poverty equals <150% of the federal poverty level
cChronic obstructive pulmonary disease
dCharlson Comorbidities include: human immunodeficiency virus, congestive heart failure, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, liver diseases, myocardial infarction, peptic ulcer disease, hemiplegia/paralysis, peripheral vascular disease, renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis
eDiabetes complications are: renal, ophthalmologic, neurologic, circulatory, unspecified