Tackling the medication burden in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus – A priority setting partnership to identify research priorities

AIM: Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus often struggle with polypharmacy, yet research rarely involves them in identifying priority topics. This study aimed to identify and prioritize key research questions on polypharmacy in older adults (≥70 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Using a priority setting partnership, we engaged interest-holders through surveys and prioritisation processes. Participants proposed up to five questions. Data was stratified into older adults/relatives and healthcare professionals and analysed separately using thematic analysis. Final prioritization was achieved through structured ranking involving all interest-holder groups. RESULTS: A total of 184 respondents submitted 279 questions, yielding 23 indicative research questions (10 from older adults/relatives, 13 from professionals), including four overlapping across the two groups. In the prioritization phase, 61 older adults/relatives and five healthcare professionals ranked these questions, producing an overlapping top priority: structuring medication pathways to ensure continuity of care across hospitals, general practice, and other healthcare services. CONCLUSION: By foregrounding voices of those directly impacted by polypharmacy, this study establishes an interest-holder driven research agenda reflecting real-world complexities in managing multiple medications in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.