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SGLT-2 inhibitors may be targeting higher risk patients with diabetes possibly justifying higher cost: Single center repeated cross-sectional analysis

Weinrauch LA, Liu J, Segal AR, Woodward J, D'Elia JA

Journal of diabetes and its complications, 2021

10,191 participants

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We studied the use of all hypoglycemic agents in periods before and after introduction of SGLT-2 inhibitors in the USA by repeated cross sectional analysis to initially assess improvement in HbA1c control among patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. We sought to identify changes in glucose management related to the availability of the SGLT-2 inhibiting agents. We hypothesized that patients transitioned to SGLT-2 inhibitor-based therapy represented a higher risk group that derived benefits in terms of Hba1c control.

METHODS: Deidentified records of patients seen at least twice during the relevant time periods at Joslin Clinic between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2012 and/or between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016 were examined. Records required all of the following: demographic information of gender, age, height, weight, BMI, HbA1c, eGFR, blood pressure, smoking status and completed medication lists.

RESULTS: 10,191 patients met criteria for analysis, 7769 seen in period 1 and 6576 in period 2. 4625 patients were seen in both periods. The group of patients defined by SGLT-2 use had significantly higher BMI and HbA1c. Notable shifts in medication use were observed as SGLT-2 use increased from none to 14%. Increased use (all p < 0.001) of GLP-1 agents (16.0 to 23.8%), insulin (56.1 to 60.5%) and statins (78.4 to 81.5%) and statistically significant decreases (all p < 0.001) in use of biguanides (69.5 to 66.3%) and sulfonylurea compounds (44.7 to…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 10,191 participants or records.

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