The EMPagliflozin compaRative effectIveness and SafEty (EMPRISE) study programme: Design and exposure accrual for an evaluation of empagliflozin in routine clinical care

Empagliflozin and Risk of Incident Gout: Analysis from the EMPagliflozin Comparative Effectiveness and SafEty (EMPRISE) Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Hyperuricemia is frequently observed in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and is associated with increased risk of gout and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Empagliflozin lowers serum urate levels by enhancing its urinary excretion.

OBJECTIVE

To compare initiators of empagliflozin vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i) and initiators of empagliflozin vs glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with respect to the risk of incident gout events.

DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS

Using three claims-based datasets from 08/2014 to 09/2019, we generated two cohorts (cohort 1: empagliflozin vs DPP4i; cohort 2: empagliflozin vs GLP-1RA) of adult patients with T2D and without prior history of gout or gout-specific medication dispensing separately in each dataset. To assess the risk of incident gout, we estimated hazard ratios (HR) and rate differences (RD) per 1000 person-years (PY) with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) before and after 1:1 propensity score (PS) matching adjusting for 141 baseline covariates.

KEY RESULTS

We identified 102,262 pairs of 1:1 propensity score-matched adults in cohort 1 and 131,216 pairs in cohort 2. Over a mean follow-up period of 8 months on treatment, the risk of gout was lower in patients initiating empagliflozin compared to DPP4i (HR = 0.69: 95% CI (0.60-0.79); RD =  - 2.27: 95% CI (- 3.08, 1.46)) or GLP-1RA (HR = 0.83: 95% CI (0.73-0.94); RD =  - 0.99: 95% CI (- 1.66, - 0.32)). Results were consistent across subgroups (sex, age, body mass index, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, and concurrent diuretic use) and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Among adults with T2D, the initiation of empagliflozin vs a DPP4i or GLP-1RA was associated with lower risk of incident gout, complementing results from a post hoc analysis of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial and previously published observational research focusing on the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor class in more narrowly defined study populations.

Effectiveness and safety of empagliflozin: final results from the EMPRISE study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Limited evidence exists on the comparative safety and effectiveness of empagliflozin against alternative glucose-lowering medications in individuals with type 2 diabetes with the broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk. The EMPagliflozin compaRative effectIveness and SafEty (EMPRISE) cohort study was designed to monitor the safety and effectiveness of empagliflozin periodically for a period of 5 years with data collection from electronic healthcare databases.

METHODS

We identified individuals ≥18 years old with type 2 diabetes who initiated empagliflozin or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) from 2014 to 2019 using US Medicare and commercial claims databases. After 1:1 propensity score matching using 143 baseline characteristics, we identified four a priori-defined effectiveness outcomes: (1) myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke; (2) hospitalisation for heart failure (HHF); (3) major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE); and (4) cardiovascular mortality or HHF. Safety outcomes included lower-limb amputations, non-vertebral fractures, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), acute kidney injury (AKI), severe hypoglycaemia, retinopathy progression, and short-term kidney and bladder cancers. We estimated HRs and rate differences (RDs) per 1000 person-years, overall and stratified by age, sex, baseline atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and heart failure.

RESULTS

We identified 115,116 matched pairs. Compared with DPP-4i, empagliflozin was associated with lower risks of MI/stroke (HR 0.88 [95% CI 0.81, 0.96]; RD -2.08 [95% CI (-3.26, -0.90]), HHF (HR 0.50 [0.44, 0.56]; RD -5.35 [-6.22, -4.49]), MACE (HR 0.73 [0.62, 0.86]; RD -6.37 [-8.98, -3.77]) and cardiovascular mortality/HHF (HR 0.57 [0.47, 0.69]; RD -10.36 [-12.63, -8.12]). Absolute benefits were larger in older individuals and in those with ASCVD/heart failure. Empagliflozin was associated with an increased risk of DKA (HR 1.78 [1.44, 2.19]; RD 1.59 [1.08, 2.09]); decreased risks of AKI (HR 0.62 [0.54, 0.72]; RD -2.39 [-3.08, -1.71]), hypoglycaemia (HR 0.75 [0.67, 0.84]; RD -2.46 [-3.32, -1.60]) and retinopathy progression (HR 0.78 [0.63, 0.96)]; RD -9.49 [-16.97, -2.10]); and similar risks of other safety events.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin relative to DPP-4i was associated with risk reductions of MI or stroke, HHF, MACE and the composite of cardiovascular mortality or HHF. Absolute risk reductions were larger in older individuals and in those who had history of ASCVD or heart failure. Regarding the safety outcomes, empagliflozin was associated with an increased risk of DKA and lower risks of AKI, hypoglycaemia and progression to proliferative retinopathy, with no difference in the short-term risks of lower-extremity amputation, non-vertebral fractures, kidney and renal pelvis cancer, and bladder cancer.

Kidney and Cardiovascular Effectiveness of Empagliflozin Compared With Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Placebo-controlled trials of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors demonstrate kidney and cardiovascular benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). We used real-world data to compare the kidney and cardiovascular effectiveness of empagliflozin to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), a commonly prescribed antiglycemic medication, in a diverse population with and without CKD. Using electronic health record data from 20 large US health systems, we leveraged propensity overlap weighting to compare the outcomes for empagliflozin and DPP4i initiators with type 2 diabetes between 2016 and 2020. The primary composite kidney outcome included 40% estimated glomerular filtration rate decrease, incident end-stage kidney disease, or all-cause mortality through 2 years or censoring. We also assessed cardiovascular and safety outcomes. Of 62,197 new users, 20,279 initiated empagliflozin and 41,918 initiated DPP4i. Over a median follow-up of 1.1 years, empagliflozin prescription was associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.65 to 0.87) than DPP4is. The risks for mortality (HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.92) and a cardiovascular composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or all-cause mortality (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70 to 0.95) were also lower for empagliflozin initiators. No difference in heart failure hospitalization risk between groups was observed. Genital mycotic infections were more common in patients prescribed empagliflozin (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.58 to 1.88). Empagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of the primary outcome in patients with CKD (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.88) and those without CKD (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.94). In conclusion, the initiation of empagliflozin was associated with a significantly lower risk of kidney and cardiovascular outcomes than DPP4is over a median of just over 1 year. The association with a lower risk for clinical outcomes was apparent even for patients without known CKD at baseline.

Cardiorenal effectiveness of empagliflozin vs. glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: final-year results from the EMPRISE study

BACKGROUND

No randomized clinical trials have directly compared the cardiorenal effectiveness of empagliflozin and GLP-1RA agents with demonstrated cardioprotective effects in patients with a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk. We reported the final-year results of the EMPRISE study, a monitoring program designed to evaluate the cardiorenal effectiveness of empagliflozin across broad patient subgroups.

METHODS

We identified patients ≥ 18 years old with type 2 diabetes who initiated empagliflozin or GLP-1RA from 2014 to 2019 using US Medicare and commercial claims databases. After 1:1 propensity score matching using 143 baseline characteristics, we evaluated risks of outcomes including myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke, hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE - MI, stroke, or cardiovascular mortality), a composite of HHF or cardiovascular mortality, and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) (in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3-4). We estimated hazard ratios (HR) and rate differences (RD) per 1,000 person-years, overall and within subgroups of age, sex, baseline atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and heart failure (HF).

RESULTS

We identified 141,541 matched pairs. Compared with GLP-1RA, empagliflozin was associated with similar risks of MI or stroke [HR: 0.99 (0.92, 1.07); RD: -0.23 (-1.25, 0.79)], and lower risks of HHF [HR: 0.50 (0.44, 0.56); RD: -2.28 (-2.98, -1.59)], MACE [HR: 0.90 (0.82, 0.99); RD: -2.54 (-4.76, -0.32)], cardiovascular mortality or HHF [HR: 0.77 (0.69, 0.86); RD: -4.11 (-5.95, -2.29)], and ESKD [0.75 (0.60, 0.94); RD: -6.77 (-11.97, -1.61)]. Absolute risk reductions were larger in older patients and in those with baseline ASCVD/HF. They did not differ by sex.

CONCLUSIONS

The cardiovascular benefits of empagliflozin vs. cardioprotective GLP-1RA agents were larger in older patients and in patients with history of ASCVD or HF, while they did not differ by sex. In patients with advanced CKD, empagliflozin was associated with risk reductions of progression to ESKD.

Development and Validation of a Claims-Based Model to Predict Categories of Obesity

We developed and validated a claims-based algorithm that classifies patients into obesity categories. Using Medicare (2007-2017) and Medicaid (2000-2014) claims data linked to 2 electronic health record (EHR) systems in Boston, Massachusetts, we identified a cohort of patients with an EHR-based body mass index (BMI) measurement (calculated as weight (kg)/height (m)2). We used regularized regression to select from 137 variables and built generalized linear models to classify patients with BMIs of ≥25, ≥30, and ≥40. We developed the prediction model using EHR system 1 (training set) and validated it in EHR system 2 (validation set). The cohort contained 123,432 patients in the Medicare population and 40,736 patients in the Medicaid population. The model comprised 97 variables in the Medicare set and 95 in the Medicaid set, including BMI-related diagnosis codes, cardiovascular and antidiabetic drugs, and obesity-related comorbidities. The areas under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve in the validation set were 0.72, 0.75, and 0.83 (Medicare) and 0.66, 0.66, and 0.70 (Medicaid) for BMIs of ≥25, ≥30, and ≥40, respectively. The positive predictive values were 81.5%, 80.6%, and 64.7% (Medicare) and 81.6%, 77.5%, and 62.5% (Medicaid), for BMIs of ≥25, ≥30, and ≥40, respectively. The proposed model can identify obesity categories in claims databases when BMI measurements are missing and can be used for confounding adjustment, defining subgroups, or probabilistic bias analysis.

Machine Learning Algorithm Predicts Mortality Risk in Intensive Care Unit for Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND

Numerous mortality prediction tools are currently available to assist patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, an algorithm that utilizes various machine learning methods and employs diverse combinations of features to identify the most suitable predicting outcomes of brain injury patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has not yet been well-established.

METHOD

Between January 2016 and December 2021, we retrospectively collected data from the electronic medical records of Chi Mei Medical Center, comprising 2260 TBI patients admitted to the ICU. A total of 42 features were incorporated into the analysis using four different machine learning models, which were then segmented into various feature combinations. The predictive performance was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and validated using the Delong test.

RESULT

The AUC for each model under different feature combinations ranged from 0.877 (logistic regression with 14 features) to 0.921 (random forest with 22 features). The Delong test indicated that the predictive performance of the machine learning models is better than that of traditional tools such as APACHE II and SOFA scores.

CONCLUSION

Our machine learning training demonstrated that the predictive accuracy of the LightGBM is better than that of APACHE II and SOFA scores. These features are readily available on the first day of patient admission to the ICU. By integrating this model into the clinical platform, we can offer clinicians an immediate prognosis for the patient, thereby establishing a bridge for educating and communicating with family members.

A Novel Chronic Kidney Disease Phenotyping Algorithm Using Combined Electronic Health Record and Claims Data

Purpose

Because chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often under-coded as a diagnosis in claims data, we aimed to develop claims-based prediction models for CKD phenotypes determined by laboratory results in electronic health records (EHRs).

Patients and Methods

We linked EHR from two networks (used as training and validation cohorts, respectively) with Medicare claims data. The study cohort included individuals ≥65 years with a valid serum creatinine result in the EHR from 2007 to 2017, excluding those with end-stage kidney disease or on dialysis. We used LASSO regression to select among 134 predictors for predicting continuous estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We assessed the model performance when predicting eGFR categories of <60, <45, <30 mL/min/1.73m2 in terms of area under the receiver operating curves (AUC).

Results

The model training cohort included 117,476 patients (mean age 74.8 years, female 58.2%) and the validation cohort included 56,744 patients (mean age 73.8 years, female 59.6%). In the validation cohort, the AUC of the primary model (with 113 predictors and an adjusted R2 of 0.35) for predicting eGFR <60, eGFR<45, and eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2 categories was 0.81, 0.88, and 0.92, respectively, and the corresponding positive predictive values for these 3 phenotypes were 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.79, 0.81), 0.79 (0.75, 0.84), and 0.38 (0.30, 0.45), respectively.

Conclusion

We developed a claims-based model to determine clinical phenotypes of CKD stages defined by eGFR values. Researchers without access to laboratory results can use the model-predicted phenotypes as a proxy clinical endpoint or confounder and to enhance subgroup effect assessment.

Empagliflozin cardiovascular and renal effectiveness and safety compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors across 11 countries in Europe and Asia: Results from the EMPagliflozin compaRative effectIveness and SafEty (EMPRISE) study

BACKGROUND

Continued expansion of indications for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors increases importance of evaluating cardiovascular and kidney efficacy and safety of empagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to similar therapies.

METHODS

The EMPRISE Europe and Asia study is a non-interventional cohort study using data from 2014-2019 in seven European (Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom) and four Asian (Israel, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan) countries. Patients with type 2 diabetes initiating empagliflozin were 1:1 propensity score matched to patients initiating dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Primary endpoints included hospitalization for heart failure, all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction and stroke. Other cardiovascular, renal, and safety outcomes were examined.

FINDINGS

Among 83,946 matched patient pairs, (0·7 years overall mean follow-up time), initiation of empagliflozin was associated with lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (Hazard Ratio 0·70; 95% CI 0.60 to 0.83). Risks of all-cause mortality (0·55; 0·48 to 0·63), stroke (0·82; 0·71 to 0·96), and end-stage renal disease (0·43; 0·30 to 0·63) were lower and risk for myocardial infarction, bone fracture, severe hypoglycemia, and lower-limb amputation were similar between initiators of empagliflozin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Initiation of empagliflozin was associated with higher risk for diabetic ketoacidosis (1·97; 1·28 to 3·03) compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors. Results were consistent across continents and regions.

INTERPRETATION

Results from this EMPRISE Europe and Asia study complements previous clinical trials and real-world studies by providing further evidence of the beneficial cardiorenal effects and overall safety of empagliflozin compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors.

Empagliflozin reduces cardiorenal events, healthcare resource use and mortality in Sweden compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors: Real world evidence from the Nordic EMPRISE study

AIMS

To evaluate effectiveness and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of empagliflozin versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) in Swedish clinical practice, as part of the EMPRISE EU study (EUPAS27606, NCT03817463).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A non-interventional, cohort study using retrospectively collected data from Swedish national registries. Adults with type 2 diabetes newly initiated on empagliflozin or DPP-4i from May 2014 to December 2018 were matched 1:1 using propensity scores based on >180 covariates. Cardiovascular outcomes included hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), all-cause mortality (ACM), myocardial infarction (MI), stroke and cardiovascular mortality (CVM), as well as their composite outcomes. Renal outcomes included end-stage renal disease (ESRD), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline to <60 ml/min/1.73 m² and progression to micro/macroalbuminuria. HCRU outcomes were also assessed. Comparisons were done using Cox proportional hazards and Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

Overall, 15,785 matched-pairs were identified, with a mean follow-up of 6.4 and 9.7 months for patients initiating empagliflozin versus DPP-4i, respectively. Empagliflozin was associated with significant reduction in rates of HHF (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.67; 95% confidence interval: 0.49-0.91), ACM (HR = 0.53; 0.41-0.68), HHF + ACM (HR = 0.59; 0.48-0.73), MI + stroke + ACM (HR = 0.68; 0.57-0.81), CVM (HR = 0.46; 0.29-0.73), HHF + CVM (HR = 0.61; 0.47-0.79) and MI + stroke + CVM (HR = 0.79; 0.63-0.98) versus DPP-4i. Empagliflozin also reduced the rates of ESRD (HR = 0.13; 0.03-0.57) and eGFR decline (HR = 0.83; 0.70-0.99). Regarding HCRU, empagliflozin was associated with lower risk of first inpatient stay (HR = 0.87; 0.81-0.93), and lower rate of inpatient and outpatient visits (rate ratio [RR] = 0.85; 0.80-0.89 and RR = 0.96; 0.94-0.98) than DPP-4i.

CONCLUSIONS

Empagliflozin treatment compared to DPP-4i reduced cardiorenal events and overall mortality, which may explain lower HCRU among empagliflozin users in Sweden.

Budget Impact Analysis of Empagliflozin in the Treatment of Patients With Type 2 Diabetes With Established Cardiovascular Disease in South Africa

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to estimate the budget impact and affordability of empagliflozin added to usual care compared with usual care alone, in a diabetic population with established cardiovascular disease, from a private healthcare payer perspective in South Africa.

METHODS

A budget impact model was adapted and localized. Epidemiological data were obtained from the South African Council for Medical Schemes. Clinical event rates were sourced from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial and drug costs from list prices. Clinical event costs were derived from a claims data analysis of the South African private healthcare sector and microcosting. Scenario analyses were performed on select inputs. The modeled outcomes included annual budget impact of empagliflozin, the incremental cost per life per month, cardiovascular deaths averted, and incremental cost per life saved, over 3 years.

RESULTS

A total of 9 503 patients were eligible for empagliflozin (year 1), 12 670 (year 2), and 16 947 (year 3). The incremental cost was $1 272 297, $1 764 705, and $2 455 235, for years 1 to 3, respectively. The incremental cost per beneficiary per month was calculated as $0.012 (year 1), $0.016 (year 2), and $0.023 (year 3). The model estimated a 38.6% reduction in cardiovascular deaths, 305 lives saved, and an incremental cost per life saved of $17 999.

CONCLUSIONS

Adding empagliflozin to usual care has a marginal budget implication and is highly affordable for private healthcare payers, with an acceptable incremental cost based on clinical outcomes.

Anti-Diabetic Therapy, Heart Failure and Oxidative Stress: An Update

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart failure (HF) are two chronic disorders that affect millions worldwide. Hyperglycemia can induce excessive generation of highly reactive free radicals that promote oxidative stress and further exacerbate diabetes progression and its complications. Vascular dysfunction and damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids can stem from overproduction and/or insufficient removal of free radicals. The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding the use of antidiabetic drugs and their role in glycemic control in patients with heart failure and oxidative stress. Metformin exerts a minor benefit to these patients. Thiazolidinediones are not recommended in diabetic patients, as they increase the risk of HF. There is a lack of robust evidence on the use of meglinitides and acarbose. Insulin and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may have a neutral cardiovascular effect on diabetic patients. The majority of current research focuses on sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. SGLT2 inhibitors induce positive cardiovascular effects in diabetic patients, leading to a reduction in cardiovascular mortality and HF hospitalization. GLP-1 receptor agonists may also be used in HF patients, but in the case of chronic kidney disease, SLGT2 inhibitors should be preferred.

Healthcare resource utilization in patients treated with empagliflozin in East Asia

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

We investigated the utilization of healthcare resources in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors in clinical practice in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed the Japanese Medical Data Vision database (December 2014-April 2018), the South Korean National Health Information Database, and the Taiwanese National Health Insurance claims database (both May 2016-December 2017). Patients with type 2 diabetes starting empagliflozin, 10 or 25 mg, or a DPP-4 inhibitor were matched 1:1 via propensity scores (PS). We compared inpatient care needs, emergency room (ER) visits, and outpatient visits between the treatment groups using Poisson regression and Cox proportional hazards models, pooled across countries by random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 28,712 pairs of PS-matched patients; the mean follow-up was 5.7-6.8 months. Empagliflozin-treated patients had a 27% lower risk of all-cause hospitalization compared with DPP-4 inhibitor-treated patients (rate ratio [RR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.67-0.79), and 23% reduced risk for first hospitalization (hazard ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.73-0.81). The risk for an ER visit was 12% lower with empagliflozin than with DPP-4 inhibitors (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94) while the risk for outpatient visit was 4% lower (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.96-0.97). These findings were generally consistent across countries, regardless of baseline cardiovascular disease, and in the subgroup starting empagliflozin with the 10 mg dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Empagliflozin treatment was associated with lower inpatient care needs and other healthcare resource utilization than DPP-4 inhibitors in routine clinical practice in East Asia in this study.

The Cost-Effectiveness of Subcutaneous Semaglutide Versus Empagliflozin in Type 2 Diabetes Uncontrolled on Metformin Alone in Denmark

INTRODUCTION

International and Danish guidelines recommend the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors already in second line in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness (CE) of subcutaneous (SC) semaglutide (GLP-1 RA) versus empagliflozin (SGLT-2 inhibitor) in individuals with T2D uncontrolled on metformin alone from a Danish payer's perspective.

METHODS

Cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) were conducted from a Danish payer's perspective, using the IQVIA Core Diabetes model (CDM 9.5), with a time horizon of 50 years and an annual discount of 4% on costs and effects. Patients received either SC semaglutide or empagliflozin, in addition to metformin, until HbA1c threshold of 7.5% (58 mmol/mol) was reached, following which treatment intensification with insulin glargine in addition to empagliflozin or SC semaglutide plus metformin was considered. Baseline cohort characteristics and treatment effects were sourced from a published CEA. Utilities and cost of diabetes-related complications were also obtained from published sources. Treatment costs were derived from Danish official sources. Scenario analyses were also performed to test the accuracy of the base case results.

RESULTS

Individuals with T2D on SC semaglutide plus metformin gained 0.065 life-years (LYs) and 0.130 quality-adjusted LYs (QALYs), respectively, at an incremental cost of DKK 96,923 (€ 13,031) compared to empagliflozin plus metformin, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of DKK 745,561(€ 100,239) per QALY gained. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) results showed that the SC semaglutide plus metformin was cost-effective in 19% of simulations assuming a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of DKK 357,100 (€ 48,011)/QALY gained. Duration of therapy with SC semaglutide seems the key driver of results.

CONCLUSION

The current analyses suggest that SC semaglutide plus metformin is not cost-effective compared to empagliflozin plus metformin from a Danish payer's perspective.

Validation of obesity-related diagnosis codes in claims data

AIM

To determine whether body mass index (BMI) can be accurately identified in epidemiological studies using claims databases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the Mass General Brigham Research Patient Data Repository-Medicare-linked database, we identified a cohort of patients with a BMI measurement for the periods January 1 to June 31, 2014 or January 1 to June 31, 2016, to capture both the International Classification of Disease (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 eras. Patients were divided into two groups, with or without an obesity-related ICD code in the 6 months before or after the BMI measurement date. We created two binary measures, first for composite overweight, obesity, or severe obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2 ), and second for obesity or severe obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2 ). We calculated accuracy measures (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV] and negative predictive value [NPV]) for each obesity category for the overall cohort, and stratified by type 2 diabetes and ICD-code era.

RESULTS

The cohort included 73 644 patients with a BMI measurement in 2014 or 2016, of whom 16 280 had an obesity-related ICD code. The specificity of obesity-related ICD codes (ICD-9 and ICD-10) was 99.7% for underweight/normal weight, 97.4% for overweight, 99.7% for obese and 98.9% for severely obese. For binary categories capturing BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and BMI ≥30 kg/m2 , specificity was 97.0% and 98.2%, and PPV was 86.9% and 97.3%. Sensitivity was low overall (<40%). Codes for patients with type 2 diabetes and codes in the ICD-10 era had higher sensitivity, PPV and NPV.

CONCLUSION

Obesity-related ICD codes can accurately identify patients with obesity in epidemiological studies using claims databases.

Sheu W. Cardiovascular and renal effectiveness of empagliflozin in routine care in East Asia: Results from the EMPRISE East Asia study

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of empagliflozin in clinical practice in East Asia in the Empagliflozin Comparative Effectiveness and Safety (EMPRISE) East Asia study.

Materials and methods

Data were obtained from the Medical Data Vision database (Japan), National Health Insurance Service database (South Korea) and National Health Insurance database (Taiwan). Patients aged ≥ 18 years with type 2 diabetes initiating empagliflozin or a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor were 1:1 propensity score (PS) matched into sequentially built cohorts of new users naïve to both drug classes. This design reduces confounding due to switching treatments, time lag and immortal time biases. Outcomes included hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and all-cause mortality. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs were estimated using Cox proportional models, controlling for > 130 baseline characteristics in each data source and pooled by random-effects meta-analysis.

Results

Overall, 28 712 pairs of PS-matched patients were identified with mean follow-up of 5.7-6.8 months. Compared with DPP-4 inhibitors, the risk of HHF was reduced by 18% and all-cause mortality was reduced by 36% with empagliflozin (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.71-0.94, and HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.50-0.81, respectively). Reductions were consistent across countries, and in patients with and without baseline cardiovascular disease. ESRD was also significantly reduced with empagliflozin versus DPP-4 inhibitors (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.24-0.58).

Conclusions

Empagliflozin treatment was associated with reduced risk for HHF, all-cause mortality and ESRD compared with DPP-4 inhibitors in routine clinical practice in Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.

Worldwide inertia to the use of cardiorenal protective glucose-lowering drugs (SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA) in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes

The disclosure of proven cardiorenal benefits with certain antidiabetic agents was supposed to herald a new era in the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D), especially for the many patients with T2D who are at high risk for cardiovascular and renal events. However, as the evidence in favour of various sodium-glucose transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) accumulates, prescriptions of these agents continue to stagnate, even among eligible, at-risk patients. By contrast, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) DPP-4i remain more widely used than SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in these patients, despite a similar cost to SGLT2i and a large body of evidence showing no clear benefit on cardiorenal outcomes. We are a group of diabetologists united by a shared concern that clinical inertia is preventing these patients from receiving life-saving treatments, as well as placing them at greater risk of hospitalisation for heart failure and progression of renal disease. We propose a manifesto for change, in order to increase uptake of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA in appropriate patients as a matter of urgency, especially those who could be readily switched from an agent without proven cardiorenal benefit. Central to our manifesto is a shift from linear treatment algorithms based on HbA1c target setting to parallel, independent considerations of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure and renal risks, in accordance with newly updated guidelines. Finally, we call upon all colleagues to play their part in implementing our manifesto at a local level, ensuring that patients do not pay a heavy price for continued clinical inertia in T2D.