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Effect of Empagliflozin and Pioglitazone on left ventricular function in patients with type two diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease without established cardiovascular disease: a randomized single-blind clinical trial

Fereshte Attaran, Sepideh Emami, M. Sohrabi, M. Malek, H. Ajdarkosh, M. Khoonsari, Faramarz Ismail-Beigi, M. Khamseh

BMC Gastroenterology, 2023

21 citations

Abstract

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex metabolic disorder that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is an indicator of left ventricular (LV) mechanics and can detect subclinical myocardial dysfunction. We compared the effects of pioglitazone and empagliflozin on GLS in patients with T2DM and NAFLD without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Methods This study was a 24-week randomized, single-blind, and parallel-group (1: 1 ratio) clinical trial. Seventy-three participants with T2DM (being treated with metformin) and NAFLD but without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) were randomized to empagliflozin or pioglitazone. Liver steatosis and fibrosis were measured using transient elastography, and GLS was measured by echocardiography. The primary endpoint was the change in GLS from baseline to week 24. Secondary end points include changes in controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and Liver stiffness measure (LSM). Results In this study, GLS improved by 1.56 ± 2.34% (P < 0.01) in the pioglitazone group and 1.06 ± 1.83% (P < 0.01) in the empagliflozin group without a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.31). At baseline, GLS was inversely associated with the severity of liver fibrosis: r = − 0.311, P = 0.007. LSM in the pioglitazone and empagliflozin group [(-0.73 ± 1.59) and (-1.11 ± 1.33)] kpa (P < 0.01)…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design.

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