Clinician’s Perspectives on the use of Vildagliptin and its Fixed-Dose Combination with Metformin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in India

Objective: To gather clinician perspectives related to the initiation and management of pharmacotherapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with a particular focus on the use of vildagliptin and its fixeddose combination (FDC) with metformin in Indian clinical settings. Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted among clinicians across India.The 23-item questionnaire explored various aspects of T2DM management, including demographic patterns, first-line therapy preferences, treatment adherence, perceptions of glycemic durability, and clinical experiences with vildagliptin and its sustained-release formulations.Additional questions addressed socioeconomic trends in diabetes prevalence, factors contributing to nonadherence, and the role of continuous glucose monitoring.Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: A total of 242 clinicians participated in the study.The majority (82.64%) identified the highest prevalence of diabetes in the 40-60-year age group, and 71% reported a higher occurrence among middle-income individuals.Metformin was the most commonly prescribed first-line agent (50.83%) for newly diagnosed T2DM.Approximately 46% of experts recognized dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for their superior glycemic durability, with vildagliptin being the preferred agent among 79% of respondents.Vildagliptin was favored by 82% of clinicians for its weight-neutral effects, beta-cell preservation, and favorable side-effect profile.Nearly 76% preferred the 100 mg sustained release (SR) formulation once daily over 50 mg twice daily, citing improved patient compliance.Around 84% of respondents supported the combination of vildagliptin 100 mg SR with metformin SR for enhancing adherence. Conclusion:The study highlights clinicians' preference for vildagliptin in the management of T2DM, particularly among middleaged, middle-income patients in Indian settings.Once-daily dosing, favorable efficacy, and improved adherence position vildagliptin, especially in combination with metformin, as a preferred option in routine clinical practice.