Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Metformin Extended-Release Tablets Among Clinicians in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Metformin extended-release (XR) is a once-daily alternative conventional immediate-release (IR) tablet for adults with type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of the use of metformin XR tablets among clinicians. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among endocrinologists, general practitioners, and internists, who are taking routine care of adults with type 2 diabetes in health institutes at all levels in Sichuan Province, China. We designed an online questionnaire including the demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and practice about metformin XR tablets. We included 158 clinicians, 67.7% of whom were females and 63.9% were from tertiary hospitals. The median age was 39.6 years (ranging between 22 and 62 years). Only 8.2% of the clinicians correctly answered the knowledge questions, 82.3% and 62.0% of the responders assumed that metformin XR had superior efficacy and tolerability to the metformin IR, respectively. Only 46.8% of the clinicians prescribed the metformin XR based on the patient's preference for once daily frequency. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of metformin XR among Chinese clinicians need improving. Clinicians need credible information to support their clinical decision-making regarding metformin XR.