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SGLT2 inhibitors lower CV mortality, morbidity in diabetes
The use of SGLT2 inhibitors compared with other glucose-lowering drugs was associated with reduced risk for cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality in adults with type 2 diabetes, study data show.
Johan Bodegård, MD, PhD, of AstraZeneca, and colleagues evaluated data from CVD-REAL Nordic on adults (mean age, 61 years; 40% women) with type 2 diabetes who were new users of SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 22,830) or other glucose-lowering drugs (n = 68,490) to compare rates of CV mortality and morbidity among them. Participants filled their prescriptions between 2012 and 2015 and were followed up until Dec. 31, 2015, for a mean of 0.9 years.
At baseline, the prevalence of both CV and microvascular comorbidity was 25%.
New users of SGLT2 inhibitors had reduced risks for CV mortality (HR = 0.53; 95% CI, 0.4-0.71), major adverse CV events (HR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.87), hospital events for heart failure (HR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.61-0.81), all-cause mortality (HR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.45-0.58) and severe hypoglycemia (HR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65-0.9) compared with users of other glucose-lowering drugs. No differences were found between the groups for non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke or atrial fibrillation.
“Our results were obtained in a population with a broader cardiovascular risk profile than the high-risk populations included in these trials, which could have important clinical implications in terms of preventive treatment strategies,” the researchers wrote. “Ongoing randomized trials will further elucidate these findings.” - by Amber Cox
Disclosures: The study was funded by AstraZeneca. Bodegård reports a paid, full-time position at AstraZeneca as an epidemiologist. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.