Figure 2.

Standardised probability of initiating different classes of glucose-lowering drugs as second-line add-on therapy at time of first intensification according to income group and time period.

Standardised with the respect to the distribution of age, sex, ethnicity, cohabitation status, duration of type 2 diabetes, specialist care, region of residence, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, heart failure, renal disease, hypertension, loop diuretics, statins, and antithrombotics of all included patients in the last time period (2018-2020). Three different time periods are considered according to the cardiovascular outcome trials and the update of guidelines: (i) from year 2012 to 2014 (prior to publication of the cardiovascular outcome trials); (ii) from year 2015 to 2017 (publication of the cardiovascular outcome trials); (iii) from year 2018 to 2020 (update of guidelines).

DPP-4i, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors; ESRD, end-stage renal disease; GLP-1RA, glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists; SGLT-2i, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors; SU, sulfonylureas.