New survey in four major Asian countries reveals complexity of managing Type 2 Diabetes is currently underestimated

Ingelheim, Germany and Indianapolis, US, 06th November 2013.  Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company today announced results from a poll conducted with almost 800 physicians treating people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), in Japan, China, India and South Korea.¹ 

Results from the online poll revealed 79 percent of the physicians surveyed believed the complexity of managing T2D is currently underestimated.¹

Despite these complexities, high quality, structured patient education can help to improve health outcomes and significantly improve quality of life in people with T2D.² Ninety percent of physicians polled agreed both HCPs and patients could gain from additional medical information and patient support materials.¹

People with T2D have an increased risk of heart disease and stroke compared to those without the condition.³ The survey also highlighted the importance of managing cardiovascular risk in T2D.  This was well recognized by the physicians polled and 94 percent of respondents believed the management of cardiovascular risk influenced their decision when prescribing an oral anti-hyperglycaemic treatment.¹ 

In treating T2D, a number of factors may play a role in patient adherence to treatment regimes, including the dosing schedule.⁴ Half of the physicians surveyed ranked ‘number of doses per day’ as the factor that influenced them the most when prescribing an oral anti-hyperglycaemic agent, in addition to the management of blood glucose.¹

"More than 60 percent of the world’s diabetes population lives in Asia and physicians treating Type 2 Diabetes in this region acknowledge that this is a complex condition," said Professor Klaus Dugi, Corporate Senior Vice President Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. "Despite the numerous challenges Type 2 Diabetes can present in the face of rising prevalence, results from this survey show that healthcare professionals in Asia are evaluating the full spectrum of available treatments, dosing regimens, risk factors and co-morbidities to achieve the best possible health outcomes for their patients."

The results of this poll echo those from a similar survey conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company in September 2013 with more than 1,000 primary care healthcare professionals across eight European countries.⁵ The impact of cardiovascular risk in treating T2D was also highlighted in these results. Almost three quarters of physicians (74 percent) surveyed believed the management of cardiovascular risk is underestimated in people with T2D and 87 percent of respondents regard cardiovascular risk as a key consideration when making treatment decisions.⁵

Methodology
Over a two week period, an online tool consisting of five short multiple choice questions was used to gauge opinion from 798 physicians from Japan, South Korea, China and India. Results were then collated from the different markets to draw overall conclusions.

Notes to Editor

About Diabetes
An estimated 371 million people worldwide have Type 1 and T2D.⁶ T2D is the most common type, accounting for an estimated 90 percent of all diabetes cases.⁷  Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body either does not properly produce, or use, the hormone insulin.⁷

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an alliance in the field of diabetes that centers on three compounds representing several of the largest treatment classes. This alliance leverages the companies’ strengths as two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, combining Boehringer Ingelheim’s solid track record of research-driven innovation and Lilly’s innovative research, experience, and pioneering history in diabetes. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate commitment in the care of patients with diabetes and stand together to focus on patient needs. Find out more about the alliance at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or www.lilly.com.

Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world’s 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavors.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about 14.7 billion Euros. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.

For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organisations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, Lilly provides answers – through medicines and information – for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional information about Lilly is available at www.lilly.com.

About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world’s first commercial insulin. Today we work to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued commitment to providing real solutions - from medicines to support programs and more - to make lives better.

For more information, visit www.lillydiabetes.com