Comparative Study of SGLT2 Inhibitors and DPP-4 Inhibitors

Increased Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetic Patients

According to the American Heart Association, individuals with diabetes are two to four times more likely to succumb to heart disease compared to those without the condition. This heightened risk is often attributed to associated factors such as elevated blood pressure, cholesterol levels, body weight, and blood sugar, all of which contribute to heart disease.

Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes

Fortunately, people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have various treatment options. While lifestyle modifications, including diet and exercise, form a foundational approach, many patients require prescription medications to manage their diabetes effectively. Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors represent one class of these prescription drugs.

Research Findings on SGLT2 Inhibitors

Studies investigating the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events among diabetics have yielded mixed results. To explore the comparative efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitors and another class of antidiabetic drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, researchers from the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology in Montreal conducted a retrospective study. Their findings were published in the journal BMJ.

Study Design and Methodology

The study tracked type 2 diabetic patients who were prescribed an antidiabetic medication from January 2006 to June 2018. Researchers matched 209,867 patients using SGLT2 inhibitors with those prescribed DPP-4 inhibitors. Patients not meeting specific study criteria were excluded from the analysis.

Data collection focused on major cardiovascular events experienced by participants during the study period, including both non-fatal and fatal heart attacks and strokes. Additionally, information regarding hospital visits and admissions was monitored. The research team employed statistical analyses to compare the outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors. They also conducted 13 secondary analyses to comprehensively evaluate each drug’s performance and its impact on different types of heart failure among patients.

Key Findings: SGLT2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Risk

The results indicated that SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced the risk of mortality, particularly due to heart failure, more effectively than DPP-4 inhibitors. The study provided compelling evidence that SGLT2 inhibitors are linked to a decreased risk of major cardiovascular events.

Future Research Directions

The authors of the study expressed the need for further research to determine the long-term benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in diabetic patients.

References

“Cardiovascular Disease And Diabetes“. Www.Heart.Org, 2020, https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/why-diabetes-matters/cardiovascular-disease–diabetes.
Filion, Kristian B et al. “Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors And Risk Of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events: Multi-Database Retrospective Cohort Study”. BMJ, 2020, p. m3342. BMJ, doi:10.1136/bmj.m3342. Accessed 28 Sept 2020.
Written by Rebecca K. Blankenship, B.Sc.
Image by Photo Mix from Pixabay.