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GLP1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors for the prevention or delay of type 2 diabetes mellitus onset: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Ghobar F, Tarhini A, Osman Z, Sbeih S, Ghayda RA, Matar P, Haddad G, Kanaan A et al.

Frontiers in endocrinology, 2025

3 citations

Abstract

Background: SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are two widely used classes of medications in the treatment of diabetes, each demonstrating significant efficacy and adoption. These medications have shown promising results in glycemic control and offer additional health benefits such as weight loss and cardiovascular protection. The objective of our meta-analysis is to systematically assess the effectiveness of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in slowing down or preventing the progression of prediabetic patients into diabetics. By synthesizing the existing evidence, we aim to determine whether early intervention with these medications can effectively mitigate the risk of developing diabetes in prediabetic individuals. This analysis will provide critical insights into their comparative effectiveness and inform clinical decision-making for early diabetes prevention strategies.

Methods: In this meta-analysis we primarily focused on randomized control trials (RCTs) that included the use of either SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists, or both. The database search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS, and the results were reported with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: The meta-analysis included 14 studies with the majority being double blinded (13/14). Effective randomization was evident from balanced baseline characteristics between treatment and control groups.…

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