Patient Priorities, Decisional Comfort, and Satisfaction with Metformin versus Insulin for the Treatment of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Objective We compared patient priorities, decisional comfort, and satisfaction with treating gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) with metformin versus insulin among pregnant individuals with GDM requiring pharmacotherapy. Study Design We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients' perspectives about GDM pharmacotherapy in an integrated prenatal and diabetes care program from October 19, 2022, to August 24, 2023. The exposure was metformin versus insulin as the initial medication decision. Outcomes included standardized measures of patient priorities, decisional comfort, and satisfaction about their medication decision. Results Among 144 assessed individuals, 60.4% were prescribed metformin and 39.6% were prescribed insulin. Minoritized individuals were more likely to receive metformin compared with non-Hispanic White individuals (34.9 vs. 17.5%; p = 0.03). Individuals who were willing to participate in a GDM pharmacotherapy clinical trial were more likely to receive insulin than those who were unwilling (30.4 vs. 19.5%; p = 0.02). Individuals receiving metformin were more likely to report prioritizing avoiding injections (62.4 vs. 19.3%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10–7.31), wanting to take a medication no more than twice daily (56.0 vs. 30.4%; aOR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.56–8.67), and believing that both medications can equally prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes (70.9 vs. 52.6%; aOR: 2.67; 95% CI: 1.19–6.03). Conversely, they were less likely to report prioritizing a medication that crosses the placenta (39.1 vs. 82.5%; aOR: 0.09; 95% CI: 0.03–0.25) and needing supplemental insulin to achieve glycemic control (21.2 vs. 47.4%; aOR: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.15–0.90). Individuals reported similarly high (mean score > 80%) levels of decisional comfort, personal satisfaction with medication decision-making, and satisfaction about their conversation with their provider about their medication decision with metformin and insulin (p ≥ 0.05 for all). Conclusion Individuals with GDM requiring pharmacotherapy reported high levels of decision comfort and satisfaction with both metformin and insulin, although they expressed different priorities in medication decision-making. These results can inform future patient-centered GDM treatment strategies. Key Points: