Association between empagliflozin exposure and skeletal muscle degeneration in patients with heart failure
Abstract
Background: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have become essential in the management of heart failure. Their prognostic benefits are consistent across older adults, frail, and underweight patients, but there may be potential adverse effects on the skeletal muscle.
Methods: In this prospective single-centre observational study, 117 patients with stable congestive heart failure received 10 mg of empagliflozin daily between February 2023 and October 2024. At baseline and again after 6 months, we measured the following nutritional, frailty, and quality-of-life indices (GNRI, CONUT, mini nutritional assessment (MNA), KCCQ-12, Barthel index, clinical frailty scale) and urinary titin N-fragment (U-titin), a biomarker of skeletal muscle degradation.
Results: After exclusion, 93 patients (median age 79 years; 40% women) were analysed. Baseline U-titin showed weak correlations with GNRI, MNA, and KCCQ-12 scores (p < 0.05). Median U-titin increased significantly from 1.7 (IQR 1.1-3.5) at baseline to 2.4 (IQR 1.3-4.2) pmol/mg Cr at 6 months (p = 0.040). The GNRI, MNA, KCCQ-12, body mass index, and NT-proBNP levels improved significantly, whereas the CONUT, Barthel index, and frailty scores remained unchanged. Left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50% independently predicted ≥50% U-titin increase (OR 3.31, 95% CI 1.23-9.52, p = 0.017).
Conclusions: Baseline U-titin levels seem to reflect nutritional and functional status in patients with heart failure. U-titin levels…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 117 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Strategy for Mitigating DKA Risk in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes on Adjunctive Treatment with SGLT Inhibitors: A STICH Protocol
- Glucoraphanin: a broccoli sprout extract that ameliorates obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance
- SGLT2 Inhibitors in Heart Failure: Targeted Metabolomics and Energetic Metabolism
- Mechanisms of blood pressure reduction with sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors: beyond glycaemic control
- Decoding the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on cardiac arrhythmias in heart failure
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.