RT Journal
A1 Wilt TJ, Qaseem A
T1 Implementing high-value, cost-conscious diabetes mellitus care through the use of low-cost medications and less-intensive glycemic control target: Comment on "variation in use of high-cost diabetes mellitus medications in the va healthcare system"
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2012
FD November 12
VO 172
IS 20
SP 1610
OP 1611
DO 10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.203
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/2013.jamainternmed.203
AB 
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting nearly 26 million people and costing $174 billion in the United States.1 Monotherapy with oral agents lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels an average of 1% of total hemoglobin. Combination therapy with a second oral medication or insulin leads to an additional 1% to 2% reduction. (To convert HbA1cto a proportion of total hemoglobin, multiply by 0.01.) Most people with type 2 DM will receive more than 1 class of medication: 14% take both insulin and oral medications, and 58% take multiple oral DM medications.1