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Improvement of glycemic control and reduction of major cardiovascular events in 18 cardiovascular outcome trials: an updated meta-regression

Maiorino MI, Longo M, Scappaticcio L, Bellastella G, Chiodini P, Esposito K, Giugliano D

Cardiovascular diabetology, 2021

161,156 participants · 55 citations

Abstract

Background: Besides providing reassurance about cardiovascular (CV) safety of newer diabetes drugs, cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) have also shown encouraging benefits on some CV endpoints. The contribution of the better glycemic control in the reduction of major cardiovascular events (MACE) remains an open question. The aim of this study is to evaluate the associations between the reduction of HbA1c and risk of MACE, MACE components, hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and all-cause death in CVOTs.

Methods: An electronic search up to July 2021 was conducted to determine eligible trials. Systematic review identified eighteen CVOTs reporting prespecified CV outcomes. Pooled summary estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated according to the random effects model using the Paule-Mandel method; restricted maximum likelihood estimators were used to estimate model parameters in the metaregression.

Results: The eighteen CVOTs evaluated 161,156 patients and included four trials with dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i), eight trials with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and six trials with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i). Random-effects model meta-analysis showed an association between treatment and risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.90; 95% CI 0.86, 0.94, P 2 = 45.2%, Q statistic P = 0.040). In meta-regression, there was an association between the reduction in HbA1c at the end of the trial and the HR reduction…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 161,156 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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