Rural-Urban Disparities in the Uptake of New Diabetes Medications

OBJECTIVE | This study assessed rural-urban differences in the uptake and use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors among U.S. adults with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS | We calculated person-level annual total and out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures for new, other, and all diabetes medications in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. We defined newer diabetes medications as GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT2 inhibitors. The primary outcome was whether a person received a new diabetes medication during the year, and secondary outcomes were medication expenditures. The key in-dependent variable was metropolitan statistical area (MSA) status. Logistic regression was used to estimate use rates of new diabetes medications by MSA status, and a two-part model was used to estimate individual-level annual total and OOP expenditures on new, other, and all diabetes medications. RESULTS | We observed no significant difference (adjusted odds ratio 0.943, P = 0.37) in newer diabetes medication use. Individuals with diabetes in non-MSAs were more likely to have spending (probit coefficient 0.058, P = 0.06) and to spend more on other diabetes medications (combined marginal effect $103.13, P = 0.09), although this result was not statistically significant. This imbalance increased from $81.33 (P = 0.09) in 2003–2006 to $136.66 (P = 0.08) in 2017–2020. CONCLUSIONS | Rural-urban diabetes outcome disparities are not likely to be the result of differences in the uptake of GLP-1 receptor agonist, DPP-4 inhibitor, and SGLT2 inhibitor medications.