Second line initiation of insulin compared with DPP-4 inhibitors after metformin monotherapy is associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, and severe hypoglycemia

Effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor on the progression of coronary artery disease evaluated by computed tomography in patients receiving insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the effect of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) on the progression of obstructive coronary artery disease (OCAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) receiving insulin therapy.

METHODS

Using a multicenter clinical data warehouse, we analyzed the patients receiving insulin therapy for T2DM who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) for ≥2 times. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of DPP-4i prescription between the two CCTA examinations. The prevalence of OCAD (>50% stenosis on CCTA), new revascularization rates, and changes in the coronary calcium score (CCS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 623 patients were included, and a DPP-4i was prescribed to 380 (60.9%) patients. The median time difference between the two CCTAs was 39.0 (17.0-61.4) months. Newly developed OCAD at the follow-up CCTA was detected in 62 (16.3%) patients in the DPP-4i group and 76 (31.3%) patients in the no DPP-4i group (p < 0.001). The risk of new OCAD or new revascularization was lower in the DPP-4i group (19.7% vs. 38.7%; p < 0.001). After propensity score matching, the prevalence of new OCAD (15.9% vs. 29.5%; p = 0.001) and the composite rate of new OCAD or new revascularization (18.7% vs. 37.3%; p < 0.001) were lower in the DPP-4i group. The change in CCS per year did not differ significantly between the two groups (9.1 [0.1-56.8] vs. 13.5 [0.0-78.6]; p = 0.715).

CONCLUSIONS

Add-on DPP-4i therapy would be beneficial in preventing coronary artery disease progression in patients with T2DM receiving insulin therapy.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of teneligliptin for treatment of type 2 diabetes

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There are efficacy and safety concerns related to teneligliptin treatment. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was undertaken to comprehensively profile the efficacy and safety of teneligliptin in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODS

Thirteen studies were chosen from a search of scientific databases for RCTs using teneligliptin as a monotherapy or as an adjunct to other glycemic agents with pre-specified inclusion criteria. We calculated weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in each included trial and pooled the data using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies enrolled 2853 patients were identified. Teneligliptin treatment was associated with weight gain (vs. placebo, weighted mean difference (WMD) 0.28 kg; 95% CI - 0.20-0.77 kg; I² = 86%; P = 0.25). Compared to monotherapy, add on therapy with teneligliptin showed significant improvement in FPG mg/dl levels (WMD - 16.75 mg/dl; 95% CI - 19.38 to - 14.13 mg/dl), HOMA-β (WMD 7.91; 95% CI 5.38-10.45) and HOMA-IR (WMD - 0.27; 95% CI - 0.46 to - 0.07). The improvement in HbA1c was greater with monotherapy (WMD - 8.88 mmol/mol; 95% CI - 9.59 to - 8.08 mmol/mol). There was no significant risk of any hypoglycemia with teneligliptin compared to placebo (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.44-1.60; I² = 0%; P = 0.60). However, the risk was 1.84 times high when combined with other glycemic agents. The risk of cardiovascular events was comparable, regardless of treatment duration when compared to placebo or any other active comparator (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.40-1.57; I² = 0%; P = 0.50). [PROSPERO, CRD42022360785].

CONCLUSIONS

Teneligliptin is an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with T2DM, both as monotherapy and as add-on therapy. However, additional large-scale, high-quality, long-term follow-up clinical trials with diverse ethnic populations are required to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety.

Effectiveness of the SUGAR intervention on hypoglycaemia in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes: A pragmatic randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

A pharmacist-led, individualised, educational intervention (SUGAR) was formulated to prevent hypoglycaemia among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Jordan.

OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate the effectiveness of the SUGAR intervention added to usual care compared with usual care only in preventing hypoglycaemic attacks in elderly patients with T2DM in Jordan.

METHODS

A single-centre, pragmatic, open-label, randomised controlled trial with embedded process evaluation was conducted at the outpatient clinics of a hospital in Jordan. Elderly patients (≥65 years) with T2DM and on sulfonylurea, insulin, or at least three anti-diabetic medications were recruited and parallelly randomised to the SUGAR intervention with usual care or the control (usual care) groups. The primary outcome was the rate of total hypoglycaemic attacks per patient after 3 months from randomisation. Secondary outcomes included rate of hypoglycaemia subtypes, the incidence of any and subtypes of hypoglycaemia, hypoglycaemia-free survival probability, and incidence of fasting hyperglycaemia necessitating therapy modification. Outcomes were measured through glucose meters and diaries, assessed at 3 months, and analysed by intention to treat.

RESULTS

A total of 212 participants (mean age 68.98 years, 58.96% men) were randomly allocated (106 in each group), with 190 (89.62%) participants completing the study. The mean of total hypoglycaemic attacks was less in the intervention group compared with the control group (3.91 [SD 7.65] vs. 6.87 [SD 11.99]; p < 0.0001) at three months. The intervention significantly reduced the rate of hypoglycaemia subtypes; the odds to experience any, severe, and symptomatic hypoglycaemia; and increased hypoglycaemia-free survival probability compared with the control group at three months. Incidence of fasting hyperglycaemia necessitating therapy modification was similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The SUGAR intervention can prevent hypoglycaemia without increasing the risk of fasting hyperglycaemia warranting therapy adjustment in elderly Jordanians with T2DM.

Hyperinsulinemia and plasma glucose level independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in Chinese people without diabetes-A post-hoc analysis of the 30-year follow-up of Da Qing diabetes and IGT study

AIMS

We aimed to characterize the effect of insulin resistance and plasma glucose on all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) death.

METHODS

A total of 462 individuals without diabetes in the original Da Qing Diabetes and IGT Study were enrolled in the present analysis, and further divided into G1 (low insulin low glucose), G2 (high insulin low glucose), G3 (low insulin high glucose) and G4 (high insulin high glucose) groups according to medians of glucose and insulin level at baseline. The all-cause and CVD death were assessed from 1986 to 2016.

RESULTS

During the 30-year follow-up, compared with G1, G2, G3, and G4 groups were all at increased death risk after adjusting covariates. G2 and G3 were associated with similar risks in both all-cause (G2: HR 1.65, 95%CI 1.02-2.67; G3: HR 1.76, 95%CI 1.11-2.81) and CVD death (G2: HR 2.03, 95%CI 1.01-4.05; G3: HR 1.85, 95%CI 0.93-3.68). The highest risk was observed in G4 (all-cause death: HR 2.32, 95%CI 1.45-3.69; CVD death: HR 2.68, 95%CI 1.35-5.29).

CONCLUSIONS

In this post-hoc study, participants with either high glucose or high insulin were related to increased risk of mortality, implying that strategies targeting eliminating both hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia may favor the long-term outcomes.

Effects of insulin on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

AIM

In 2019, the Italian Society of Diabetology and the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists nominated an expert panel to develop guidelines for drug treatment of type 2 diabetes. This expert panel, after identifying the effects of glucose-lowering agents on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) as critical outcomes, decided to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the effect of insulin with this respect.

DATA SYNTHESIS

A MEDLINE database search was performed to identify all RCTs, up to June 1st, 2021, with duration≥52 weeks, in which insulin was compared with either placebo or active comparators. The principal endpoints were MACE and HHF (restricted for RCT reporting MACEs within their outcomes), all-cause mortality (irrespective of the inclusion of MACEs among the pre-specified outcomes). Mantel-Haenszel odds ratio (MH-OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) was calculated for all the endpoints considered. Six RCTs (enrolling 8091 patients and 10,139 in the insulin and control group, respectively) were included in the analysis for MACEs and HF, and 18 in that for all-cause mortality (9760 and 11,694 patients in the insulin and control group, respectively). Treatment with insulin neither significantly increased nor reduced the risk of MACE, all-cause mortality, and HHF in comparison with placebo/active comparators (MH-OR: 1.09, 95% CI 0.97-1.23; 0.99, 95% CI 0.91, 1.08; and 0.90, 95% CI 0.78, 1.04, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis showed no significant effects of insulin on incident MACE, all-cause mortality, and HHF.

Relationship between the early initiation of insulin treatment and diabetic complications in patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Korea: A nationwide cohort study

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the relationship between early insulin initiation within a year after type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis and the risk of diabetic complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out a cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. The study participants were newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus between 2009 and 2013. After applying propensity score matching (1:1) to the cohort of patients who received two or more oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) or insulin as the first prescription within 1 year after type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosis, we computed hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a Cox proportional hazards regression to compare the risk of diabetes-related microvascular and macrovascular complications and all-cause mortality in insulin versus OAD initiators.

RESULTS

Within the cohort, 52,188 and 1,804 patients received OAD and insulin, respectively. After matching, each group contained 534 patients. Compared with the OAD group, the risk of overall microvascular complications was significantly higher for insulin (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.28-1.71). No increased risks of overall macrovascular complications (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.62-1.30) and all-cause mortality were observed (HR 1.06, 95% CI 0.67-1.68).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, early insulin treatment was not associated with the risk of macrovascular complications and all-cause mortality compared with OAD treatment; however, the risk of microvascular complications was higher in the insulin group.

The Efficacy of Alendronate Versus Denosumab on Major Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Elderly Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Danish Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective

Patients with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of fractures; however, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. We aimed to investigate whether the risk of major osteoporotic fractures in diabetes patients differs between subjects initiated with alendronate and denosumab, respectively.

Methods and Research Design

We conducted a retrospective nationwide cohort study through access to all discharge diagnoses (ICD-10 system) from the National Danish Patient Registry along with all redeemed drug prescriptions (ATC classification system) from the Health Service Prescription Registry. We identified all subjects with a diabetes diagnosis between 2000 and 2018 and collected data on the first new prescription of anti-osteoporotic treatment between 2011 and 2018. Exposure was defined as either alendronate or denosumab treatment initiated after diabetes diagnosis. Outcome information was collected by identification of all major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) diagnoses, i.e., hip, spine, forearm, and humerus, from exposure until 2018 or censoring by emigration or death. The risk of fracture was calculated as hazard ratios (HR) using multiply adjusted Cox proportional models with death as a competing risk.

Results

We included 8,745 subjects initiated with either alendronate (n = 8,255) or denosumab (n = 490). The cohort consisted of subjects with a mean age of 73.62 (SD ± 9.27) years, primarily females (69%) and suffering mainly from type 2 diabetes (98.22%) with a median diabetes duration at baseline of 5.45 years (IQR 2.41-9.19). Those in the denosumab group were older (mean 75.60 [SD ± 9.72] versus 73.51 [SD ± 9.23] years), had a higher proportion of women (81% versus 68%, RR 1.18 [95% CI 1.13-1.24], and were more comorbid (mean CCI 2.68 [95% CI 2.47-2.88] versus 1.98 [95% CI 1.93-2.02]) compared to alendronate initiators. In addition, denosumab users had a higher prevalence of previous fractures (64% versus 46%, RR 1.38 [95% CI 1.28-1.48]). The adjusted HR for any MOF after treatment initiation with denosumab was 0.89 (95% CI 0.78-1.02) compared to initiation with alendronate.

Conclusion

The risk of incident MOF among subjects with diabetes was similar between those initially treated with alendronate and denosumab. These findings indicate that the two treatment strategies are equally effective in preventing osteoporotic fractures in subjects with diabetes.

Alendronate Use and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A Nationwide Danish Nested Case-Control Study

Objective

A link has been proposed between glucose homeostasis and bone metabolism. Bisphosphonates are first-line treatment of osteoporosis, and we aimed to investigate whether the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was associated with prior use of alendronate.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted a population-based nested case-control study through access to all discharge diagnoses (ICD-10 system) from the National Danish Patient Registry along with all redeemed drug prescriptions (ATC classification system) from the Health Service Prescription Registry. All cases with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes between 2008 and 2018 were matched on sex and age with 3 randomly selected controls by incidence-density sampling. Exposure was defined as ever use of alendronate and further grouped as effective and compliant use. ORs were calculated by conditional logistic regression analysis with adjustment for several confounders and test for trend for dose-response relationship.

Results

We included 163,588 patients with type 2 diabetes and 490,764 matched control subjects with a mean age of 67 years and 55% male subjects. The odds of developing type 2 diabetes were lower among ever users of alendronate (multiple adjusted OR: 0.64 [95% CI 0.62-0.66]). A test for trend suggested a dose-response relationship between longer effective use of alendronate and lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

These results suggest a possible protective effect of alendronate in a dose-dependent manner against development of type 2 diabetes.

Glucose-Lowering Therapy in Patients With Postpancreatitis Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE

Postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) is a type of secondary diabetes that requires special considerations for management. The main objective was to examine prescription patterns of glucose-lowering therapy among adults with PPDM compared with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a Danish nationwide population-based cohort study, we identified all individuals with adult-onset diabetes in the period 2000-2018 and categorized them as having type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or PPDM. We ascertained diabetes incidence rates, clinical and demographic characteristics, and classifications and prescription patterns of glucose-lowering therapy and compared these parameters across diabetes subgroups.

RESULTS

Among 398,456 adults with new-onset diabetes, 5,879 (1.5%) had PPDM, 9,252 (2.3%) type 1 diabetes, and the remaining type 2 diabetes (96.2%). The incidence rate of PPDM was 7.9 (95% CI 7.7-8.1) per 100,000 person-years versus 12.5 (95% CI 12.2-12.7) for type 1 diabetes (incidence rate ratio 0.6 [95% CI 0.6-0.7]; P < 0.001). A sizeable proportion of patients with PPDM were classified as having type 2 diabetes (44.9%) and prescribed sulfonylureas (25.2%) and incretin-based therapies (18.0%) that can potentially be harmful in PPDM. In contrast, 35.0% of patients never received biguanides, which are associated with a survival benefit in PPDM. Increased insulin requirements were observed for patients with PPDM compared with type 2 diabetes (hazard ratio 3.10 [95% CI 2.96-3.23]; P < 0.001) in particular for PPDM associated with chronic pancreatitis (hazard ratio 4.30 [95% CI 4.01-4.56]; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

PPDM is a common type of secondary diabetes in adults but is often misclassified and treated as type 2 diabetes, although PPDM requires special considerations for management.

A practical approach to the clinical challenges in initiation of basal insulin therapy in people with type 2 diabetes

Initiating insulin therapy with a basal insulin analogue has become a standard of care in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Despite increasing choices in pharmacological approaches, intensified glucose monitoring and improvements in quality of care, many patients do not achieve the desired level of glycaemic control. Although insulin therapy, when optimized, can help patients reach their glycaemic goals, there are barriers to treatment initiation on both the side of the patient and provider. Providers experience barriers based on their perceptions of patients' capabilities and concerns. They may lack the confidence to solve the practical problems of insulin therapy and avoid decisions they perceive as risky for their patients. In this study, we review recommendations for basal insulin initiation, focussing on glycaemic targets, titration, monitoring, and combination therapy with non-insulin anti-hyperglycaemic medications. We provide practical advice on how to address some of the key problems encountered in everyday clinical practice and give recommendations where there are gaps in knowledge or guidelines. We also discuss common challenges faced by people with T2DM, such as weight gain and hypoglycaemia, and how providers can address and overcome them.

Metformin-Insulin versus Metformin-Sulfonylurea Combination Therapies in Type 2 Diabetes: A Comparative Study of Glycemic Control and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare glycemic control and risk of cardiovascular outcomes of metformin-insulin versus metformin-sulfonylurea combination therapies in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study in five tertiary level hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We enrolled 321 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who were on continuous treatment follow-up on either metformin-insulin or metformin-sulfonylurea combination therapy. We interviewed the participants and reviewed their medical records to investigate medication efficacy, safety, and adherence. The primary outcome measure was glycemic control and the secondary outcome measures were composite cardiovascular outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the total participants enrolled, 50.5% (n = 162) were those who received metformin-insulin and 49.5% (n = 159) metformin-sulfonylurea combination therapies for a median of 48 months follow-up. The reduction of Hb1Ac levels was comparable between the metformin-insulin (-1.04 ± 0.96%) and metformin-sulfonylurea (-1.02 ± 1.03%), p = 0.912. Patients who received metformin-sulfonylurea had 4.3 times more likely to have achieved target HbA1c level compared to those who received metformin-insulin, p < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI = 4.31[1.79-10.32]. Risk of composite cardiovascular outcomes was higher in metformin-insulin group (40.5% versus 34.0%), p = 0.021. Co-morbidities, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and HbA1c had a significant association with composite cardiovascular outcomes. Reductions of bodyweight, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides levels, and microvascular complications were different between the two groups, p < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

High proportion of patients who received metformin-sulfonylurea achieved target HbA1c level and had less composite cardiovascular outcomes compared to those who received metformin-insulin. However, these findings have to be confirmed with randomized control trials to determine risks associated with insulin use, while efficacy is maintained as second-line treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Relation of insulin treatment for type 2 diabetes to the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events after acute coronary syndrome: an analysis of the BETonMACE randomized clinical trial

Background

In stable patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin treatment is associated with elevated risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and T2D are at particularly high risk for recurrent MACE despite evidence-based therapies. It is uncertain to what extent this risk is further magnified in patients with recent ACS who are treated with insulin. We examined the relationship of insulin use to risk of MACE and modification of that risk by apabetalone, a bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibitor.

Methods

The analysis utilized data from the BETonMACE phase 3 trial that compared apabetalone to placebo in patients with T2D, low HDL cholesterol, andACS. The primary MACE outcome (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke) was examined according to insulin treatment and assigned study treatment. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine whether insulin use was independently associated with the risk of MACE.

Results

Among 2418 patients followed for median 26.5 months, 829 (34.2%) were treated with insulin. Despite high utilization of evidence-based treatments including coronary revascularization, intensive statin treatment, and dual antiplatelet therapy, the 3-year incidence of MACE in the placebo group was elevated among insulin-treated patients (20.4%) compared to those not-treated with insulin (12.8%, P = 0.0001). Insulin treatment remained strongly associated with the risk of MACE (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.42–3.10, P = 0.0002) after adjustment for demographic, clinical, and treatment variables. Apabetalone had a consistent, favorable effect on MACE in insulin-treated and not insulin-treated patients.

Conclusion

Insulin-treated patients with T2D, low HDL cholesterol, and ACS are at high risk for recurrent MACE despite the use of evidence-based, contemporary therapies. A strong association of insulin treatment with risk of MACE persists after adjustment for other characteristics associated with MACE. There is unmet need for additional treatments to mitigate this risk.

Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02586155, registered October 26, 2015

Cardiovascular Safety and Benefits of Noninsulin Antihyperglycemic Drugs for the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Part 2

Ideal drugs to improve outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are those with antiglycemic efficacy, as well as cardiovascular safety that has to be determined in appropriately designed cardiovascular outcome trials as mandated by regulatory agencies. The more recent antihyperglycemic medications have shown promise with regards to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction in T2DM patients at a high cardiovascular risk. Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists are associated with better cardiovascular outcomes and mortality in T2DM patients than are dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors, leading to the Food and Drug Administration's approval of empagliflozin to reduce mortality, and of liraglutide to reduce CVD risk in high-risk T2DM patients. For heart failure outcomes, sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are beneficial, while glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are neutral. Ongoing and planned randomized controlled trials of these newer drugs should clarify the possibility of class effects and of CVD risk reduction benefits in low-moderate cardiovascular risk patients. While we eagerly await the results on ongoing studies, these medications should be appropriately prescribed in T2DM patients with baseline CVD or those at a high CVD risk after carefully evaluating the elevated risk for adverse events like gastrointestinal disturbances, bladder cancer, genital infections, and amputations. Studies to understand the pleotropic and novel pathophysiological mechanisms demonstrated by the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors will shed light on the effects of the modulation of microvascular, inflammatory, and thrombotic milieu for improving the CVD risk in T2DM patients. This is part 2 of the series on noninsulin antihyperglycemic drugs for the treatment of T2DM.

All-cause mortality and cardiovascular safety of basal insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

AIM

To evaluate the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke associated with insulin treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was performed. EMBASE, Cochrane, and PubMed databases were searched for RCTs reporting mortality or cardiovascular events and comparing basal insulin to any treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. Data were summarized with Mantel-Haenzel relative risk (RR). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to evaluate the reliability of the results considering a 20% relative risk difference between treatments. PROSPERO Registry: CRD42018087336.

RESULTS

In total, 2351 references were identified, and 26 studies (24348 patients) were included. Most studies evaluated glargine insulin (69%), compared insulin to GLP-1 analogs (57%), and evaluated add-on therapy with metformin (77%). Insulin was not associated with increased all-cause mortality (RR 0.99; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.06), cardiovascular mortality (RR 1.01; 95% CI 0.91-1.13), myocardial infarction (RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.92-1.15), or stroke (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.68-1.12). Insulin treatment increased severe hypoglycemia risk (RR 2.98; 95% CI 2.47-3.61). All analyses had low statistical heterogeneity. TSA confirmed these findings: optimal sample size (myocardial infarction), futility boundary (all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and stroke) and harm boundary (hypoglycemia) were reached.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with basal insulin of patients with type 2 diabetes does not increase the risk of cardiovascular events or death. Despite the increased risk of hypoglycemia, these findings reinforce that insulin is a safe option in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Long-term HbA1c variability and the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes

This study aimed to investigate whether long-term HbA1c variability is associated with the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in subjects with type 2 diabetes. We retrospectively reviewed 434 type 2 diabetes subjects without DR who underwent regular DR screening. We reviewed fundus findings, collected HbA1c levels, and calculated the coefficient of variation (CV) and average real variability (ARV) of each subject’s HbA1c level. DR was developed in 55 subjects and progressed to moderate nonproliferative DR or worse DR in 23 subjects. On Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, HbA1c ARV, but not HbA1c CV, was significantly associated with DR development. However, the association between HbA1c variability and the DR progression rate to moderate nonproliferative DR or worse DR was not significant. The inter-visit HbA1c difference value on consecutive examination predicted DR development well and more careful screening for DR is needed for those with an absolute value change of 2.05%, an absolute increase of 1.75%, and an absolute decrease of 1.45% in HbA1c levels on consecutive examination. These results indicate that long-term glucose variability measured by HbA1c ARV might be an independent risk factor for DR development in addition to the mean HbA1c level in early diabetic subjects.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibition to prevent progression of calcific aortic stenosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and their cardiac tissue distribution profile and anticalcification abilities are associated with risk of aortic stenosis (AS) progression.

METHODS

Out of the five different classes of DPP-4 inhibitors, two had relatively favourable heart to plasma concentration ratios and anticalcification ability in murine and in vitro experiments and were thus categorised as 'favourable'. We reviewed the medical records of 212 patients (72±8 years, 111 men) with diabetes and mild-to-moderate AS who underwent echocardiographic follow-up and classified them into those who received favourable DPP-4 inhibitors (n=28, 13%), unfavourable DPP-4 inhibitors (n=69, 33%) and those who did not receive DPP-4 inhibitors (n=115, 54%).

RESULTS

Maximal transaortic velocity (Vmax) increased from 2.9±0.3 to 3.5±0.7 m/s during follow-up (median, 3.7 years), and the changes were not different between DPP-4 users as a whole and non-users (p=0.143). However, the favourable group showed significantly lower Vmax increase than the unfavourable or non-user group (p=0.018). Severe AS progression was less frequent in the favourable group (7.1%) than in the unfavourable (29.0%; p=0.03) or the non-user (29.6%; p=0.01) group. In Cox regression analysis after adjusting for age, baseline renal function and AS severity, the favourable group showed a significantly lower risk of severe AS progression (HR 0.116, 95% CI 0.024 to 0.551, p=0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

DPP-4 inhibitors with favourable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties were associated with lower risk of AS progression. These results should be considered in the preparation of randomised clinical trials on the repositioning of DPP-4 inhibitors.

Days absent from work as a result of complications associated with type 2 diabetes: Evidence from 20 years of linked national registry data in Sweden

AIMS

To analyse days absent from work related to individual microvascular, macrovascular and other complications of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and to identify key drivers of absence.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

National health and socio-economic individual-level data were analysed for the years 1997 to 2016 for people with T2D, and age-, sex- and residential region-matched controls (5:1) using linkage to Swedish national administrative registers, based on personal identity numbers. Regression analyses accounting for individual-level clustering and education were estimated to obtain days absent by individual complications. Alternative analyses, for example, workforce indicator and age subgroups, were explored for robustness and comparison purposes.

RESULTS

A total of 413 000 people with T2D aged <66 years, comprising 4.9 million person-years, was included. The crude proportion with any absence was higher among those with T2D compared to controls (47% vs. 26%) in the index year, and the median (IQR) number of days was higher (223 [77;359] vs. 196 [59;352]) if any absence. Regression analyses showed that complications per se were a key driver of days absent: stroke (+102 days); end-stage renal disease (+70 days); severe vision loss (+56 days); and angina pectoris, heart failure, and osteoarthritis (+53 days each). The alternative analyses showed similar levels of days absent and age subgroups differed in expected directions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence of the persisting impact on productivity from complications that supports continued efforts to reduce risk factors in T2D. Future studies on burden of disease and economic evaluations of new therapies and disease management may use this new set of complication-specific estimates to improve understanding of the value of reducing complications.

Insulin: too much of a good thing is bad

BACKGROUND

Insulin shares a limited physiological concentration range with other endocrine hormones. Not only too low, but also too high systemic insulin levels are detrimental for body functions.

MAIN BODY

The physiological function and clinical relevance of insulin are usually seen in association with its role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. However, insulin is an anabolic hormone which stimulates a large number of cellular responses. Not only too low, but also excess insulin concentrations are detrimental to the physiological balance. Although the glucoregulatory activity of insulin is mitigated during hyperinsulinemia by dampening the efficiency of insulin signaling ("insulin resistance"), this is not the case for most other hormonal actions of insulin, including the promotion of protein synthesis, de novo lipogenesis, and cell proliferation; the inhibition of lipolysis, of autophagy-dependent cellular turnover, and of nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)-dependent antioxidative; and other defense mechanisms. Hence, there is no general insulin resistance but selective impairment of insulin signaling which causes less glucose uptake from the blood and reduced activation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Because of the largely unrestricted insulin signaling, hyperinsulinemia increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease and decreases health span and life expectancy. In epidemiological studies, high-dose insulin therapy is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Randomized controlled trials of insulin treatment did not observe any effect on disease risk, but these trials only studied low insulin doses up to 40 IU/day. Proof for a causal link between elevated insulin levels and cardiovascular disease risk comes from Mendelian randomization studies comparing individuals with genetically controlled low or high insulin production.

CONCLUSIONS

The detrimental actions of prolonged high insulin concentrations, seen also in cell culture, argue in favor of a lifestyle that limits circadian insulin levels. The health risks associated with hyperinsulinemia may have implications for treatment regimens used in type 2 diabetes.

Rationale for Timely Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes Within the Framework of Individualised Treatment: 2020 Update

Type 2 diabetes is characterised by chronic hyperglycaemia and variable degrees of insulin deficiency and resistance. Hyperglycaemia and elevated fatty acids exert harmful effects on β-cell function, regeneration and apoptosis (gluco-lipotoxicity). Furthermore, chronic hyperglycaemia triggers a vicious cycle of insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation and a cascade of pro-atherogenic processes. Thus, timely near to normal glucose control is of utmost importance in the management of type 2 diabetes and prevention of micro- and macroangiopathy. The majority of patients are multimorbid and obese, with critical comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Recently published guidelines therefore recommend patient-centred risk/benefit-balanced use of oral glucose-lowering drugs or a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, or switching to insulin with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) out of target. This article covers the indications of early insulin treatment to prevent diabetes-related complications, particularly in subgroups with severe insulin deficit, and to achieve recovery of residual β-cell function. Furthermore, the individualised, risk/benefit-balanced, timely initiation of insulin as second and third option is analysed. Timely insulin initiation may prevent diabetes progression, reduce diabetes-related complications and has less serious adverse effects. Basal insulin is the preferred option in most clinical situations with consequences of undertreatment of chronic hyperglycaemia.

Reporting and variability of constructing medication treatment episodes in pharmacoepidemiology studies: A methodologic systematic review using the case study of DPP-4 inhibitors and cardiovascular outcomes

PURPOSE

In pharmacoepidemiologic studies, estimating medication adherence, persistence, and exposure patterns is critical. Constructing medication treatment episodes from prescription claims data involves assumptions related to grace period, carry-over, and lag effect, but there are no guidelines for these assumptions. We evaluated reporting and variability of these parameters in pharmacoepidemiology studies, using a case study of antihyperglycemic medications and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

METHODS

We conducted a systemic review using MEDLINE and EMBASE for studies published prior to January 2, 2020 comparing the risk of MACE between dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and active comparators. We extracted study characteristics and results, including grace period, carry-over, and lag effect. Risk of bias was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and assessments for prevalent user, immortal time, time lag, and time window biases.

RESULTS

A total of 14/1850 studies identified were included. Grace period was not reported in 5 (35.7%) studies and ranged from 0 days to 180 days when reported. Carry-over was not reported in 10 studies (71.4%). Lag effect was not reported in nine (71.4%) studies and ranged from 0 days to 180 days when reported. No studies conducted sensitivity analyses examining the effects of these assumptions on study findings. Predominant biases were inadequate follow-up time, comparability of cohorts, prevalent use, and lag time bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of grace period, carry-over, and lag effect were poorly reported and highly variable. Future pharmacoepidemiology studies should improve reporting, justify ranges for these parameters, and conduct sensitivity analyses to evaluate effects of these assumptions.

Clinical outcomes of basal insulin and oral antidiabetic agents as an add-on to dual therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

While basal insulin remains the most effective antidiabetic agent and substantially reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, few studies have examined the comparative effect of basal insulin in the real-world setting. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of adding basal insulin compared with thiazolidinediones (TZDs) or dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is) as a third antidiabetic agent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A retrospective cohort study involving T2DM was conducted with health administrative data in Taiwan. Patients starting a third antidiabetic agent after receiving a metformin-containing dual combination were identified. The study endpoints included composite major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), all-cause mortality, and hypoglycemia. Propensity score matching and Cox modeling were used for analysis. After matching, the basal insulin and TZD groups contained 6,101 and 11,823 patients, respectively, and the basal insulin and DPP-4i groups contained 6,051 and 11,900 patients, respectively. TZDs and DPP-4is were both associated with similar risks of MACEs and hypoglycemia but a lower risk of all-cause mortality than basal insulin (TZDs: HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38-0.81; DPP-4is: HR 0.56, 95% CI 0.39-0.82). Further studies are needed to elucidate the findings of increased all-cause mortality risk in patients receiving basal insulin, especially those with advanced diabetes.

Dapagliflozin vs non-SGLT-2i treatment is associated with lower healthcare costs in type 2 diabetes patients similar to participants in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial: A nationwide observational study

AIMS

To investigate how the cardiovascular (CV) risk benefits of dapagliflozin translate into healthcare costs compared with other non-sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor glucose-lowering drugs (oGLDs) in a real-world population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) that is similar to the population of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial.

METHODS

Patients initiating dapagliflozin or oGLDs between 2013 and 2016 in Swedish nationwide healthcare registries were included if they fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial (DECLARE-like population). Propensity scores for the likelihood of dapagliflozin initiation were calculated, followed by 1:3 matching with initiators of oGLDs. Per-patient cumulative costs for hospital healthcare (in- and outpatient) and for drugs were calculated from new initiation until end of follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 24 828 patients initiated a new GLD; 6207 initiated dapagliflozin and 18 621 initiated an oGLD. After matching based on 96 clinical and healthcare cost variables, groups were balanced at baseline. Mean cumulative 30-month healthcare cost per patient was similar in the dapagliflozin and oGLD groups ($11 807 and $11 906, respectively; difference, -$99; 95% CI, -$629, $483; P = 0.644). Initiation of dapagliflozin rather than an oGLD was associated with significantly lower hospital costs (-$658; 95% CI, -$1169, -$108; P = 0.024) and significantly higher drug costs ($559; 95% CI, $471, $648; P < 0.001). Hospital cost difference was related mainly to fewer CV- and T2D-associated complications with use of dapagliflozin compared with use of an oGLD (-$363; 95% CI, -$665, -$61; P = 0.008).

CONCLUSION

In a nationwide, real-world, DECLARE-like population, dapagliflozin was associated with lower hospital costs compared with an oGLD, mainly as a result of reduced rates of CV- and T2D-associated complications.

Dapagliflozin and cardiovascular mortality and disease outcomes in a population with type 2 diabetes similar to that of the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial: A nationwide observational study

AIMS

To investigate cardiovascular (CV) safety and event rates for dapagliflozin versus other glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) in a real-world type 2 diabetes population after applying the main inclusion criteria and outcomes from the DECLARE-TIMI 58 study.

METHODS

Patients with new initiation of dapagliflozin and/or other GLDs were identified in Swedish nationwide healthcare registries for the period 2013 to 2016. Patients were included if they met the main DECLARE-TIMI 58 inclusion criteria: age ≥40 years and established CV disease or presence of multiple-risk factors, e.g. men aged ≥55 years and women aged ≥60 years with hypertension or dyslipidaemia. Propensity scores for the likelihood of dapagliflozin initiation were calculated, then 1:3 matching was carried out. DECLARE-TIMI 58 outcomes were hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) or CV-specific mortality, and major adverse CV events (MACE; CV-specific mortality, myocardial infarction, or stroke). Cox survival models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs).

RESULTS

After matching, a total of 28 408 new-users of dapagliflozin and/or other GLDs were identified, forming the population for the present study (henceforth referred to as the DECLARE-like cohort. The mean age of this cohort was 66 years, and 34% had established CV disease. Dapagliflozin was associated with 21% lower risk of HHF or CV mortality versus other GLDs (HR 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69-0.92) and had no significant association with MACE (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.79-1.03). HHF and CV mortality risks, separately, were lower at HR 0.79 (95% CI 0.67-0.93) and HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.57-0.97), respectively. Non-significant associations were seen for myocardial infarction and stroke: HR 0.91 (95% CI 0.74-1.11) and HR 1.06 (95% CI 0.87-1.30), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In a real-world population similar to those included in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 study, dapagliflozin was safe with regard to CV outcomes and resulted in lower event rates of HHF and CV mortality versus other GLDs.

Effects on clinical outcomes of intensifying triple oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy by initiating insulin versus enhancing OAD therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide population-based, propensity-score-matched cohort study

AIMS

To compare the effects of initiating insulin as a fourth-line antidiabetic therapy with the effects of enhancing oral antidiabetic drug (OAD) therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with triple OAD therapy failure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a nationwide population-based, retrospective cohort study involving 1022 (without prevalent diabetes-related complications [PDRCs]) and 2077 (with/without PDRCs) propensity score-matched pairs of fourth-line insulin therapy users and enhanced OAD therapy users identified in the period 2004 to 2010. Clinical outcomes including a composite cardiovascular outcome (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure or ischaemic heart disease), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), hypoglycaemia and all-cause mortality were assessed up to 2013. Hypoglycaemia was adjusted in Cox models to consider its potential effect on study outcomes.

RESULTS

In a T2DM cohort without PDRCs, fourth-line insulin therapy was not associated with greater risks of clinical outcomes, except hypoglycaemia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-2.07), compared with enhanced OAD therapy. Among patients with T2DM with/without PDRCs, fourth-line insulin therapy was associated with greater risks of the composite cardiovascular outcome (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.46), heart failure (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.12-2.25), ischaemic heart disease (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.09-1.73), PVD (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.00-1.36), hypoglycaemia (HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.20-1.85) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.01-2.17), but adjustment for hypoglycaemia significantly attenuated the risk of heart failure (HR 1.34, 95% CI 0.92-1.94), PVD (HR 1.15, 95% CI 0.98-1.34) and all-cause mortality (HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.84-1.99).

CONCLUSIONS

Initiation of fourth-line insulin therapy can be considered for patients with T2DM with triple OAD therapy failure, and the importance of awareness and prevention of hypoglycaemia among insulin-treated patients with T2DM cannot be overstated.

Different patterns of second-line treatment in type 2 diabetes after metformin monotherapy in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden (D360 Nordic): A multinational observational study

Aims

The understanding of second-line use of glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) in the general population with type 2 diabetes (T2D) treatment is important as recent results have shown cardiovascular benefits with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA). Our aim was to describe second-line GLD treatment patterns in four Nordic countries.

Methods

All T2D patients treated with GLD between 2006 and 2015 were identified in prescribed drug registries in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and linked with National Patient and Cause of Death Registries. Second-line treatment was defined as a prescription of a second GLD class following ≥6 months of metformin monotherapy. Index was the date of first dispense of the second-line drug.

Results

A rapid uptake of newer GLDs (GLP-1RA, DPP-4i and SGLT-2i) over the 10-year observation period was seen in Denmark, Finland and Norway, while slower in Sweden. In 2015, 33,880 (3.1%) of 1,078,692 T2D patients initiated second-line treatment, and newer GLDs were more commonly used in Finland (92%), Norway (71%) and Denmark (70%) vs Sweden (44%). In 2015, the use of older GLDs (insulin and sulphonylureas) was 7-fold greater in Sweden compared to Finland (49% vs 7%), and 1.6-fold greater compared with Denmark and Norway (49% vs 30% and 29%, respectively).

Conclusions

Despite comparable demography and healthcare systems in four neighbouring countries, surprisingly large differences in second-line use of newer GLDs were found. With recent evidence of potential cardiovascular benefits with newer GLDs, such differences may have an important impact on cardiovascular outcomes.

Are the favorable cardiovascular outcomes of empagliflozin treatment explained by its effects on multiple cardiometabolic risk factors? A simulation of the results of the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial

AIMS

It is unclear whether the favorable impact of empagliflozin on cardiovascular outcomes (CVOs) is due to its effect on multiple cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs).

METHODS

We used the Michigan Model for Diabetes, a validated computer simulation model, and published data from the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial to estimate three-year CVOs in the placebo and pooled empagliflozin treatment groups to assess whether the observed benefits might be attributable to differences in CRFs.

RESULTS

When we programmed the model to match the baseline characteristics of the trial population and the reported trajectories of five CRFs (weight, HbA1c, systolic blood pressure, low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), the simulated hazard ratio (HR) for the primary composite CVO did not differ from the reported result. The simulated HRs for fatal/nonfatal myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization procedure fell within the reported 95% confidence intervals (CIs), but those for fatal/nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality fell outside the reported 95% CIs. The effects of empagliflozin on CRFs accounted for approximately half of the observed benefit for the primary composite CVO, but explained smaller proportions of risk reductions for hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death, and all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of empagliflozin on multiple CRFs account for some but not all of reduced risks of CVOs in the EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial. More comparable control of established CRFs in type 2 diabetes CVO trials of antidiabetic agents with pleiotrophic effects would facilitate the interpretation of the observed outcomes.

The effect of antidiabetic medications on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and is prevalent in more than 50% of patients with type II diabetes. At present, there is no approved therapy for NASH. Until now, the only proven effective interventions in improving biochemical and histological features of NASH, including fibrosis, are weight loss and physical activity even without weight loss. Because of the common epidemiological and pathophysiological features between NAFLD and T2DM, many antidiabetics drugs have been tested in patients with NAFLD over the years. Among these, pioglitazone and liraglutide seem to improve some histological features of NASH but have no clear effect on fibrosis. Metformin has been largely studied in the past years without convincing evidence of improving NAFLD. Data on other compounds such as DDP-4 and SGLT-2 inhibitors are limited. The rational and results of such studies are discussed in the present review.

Worsening Heart Failure During the Use of DPP-4 Inhibitors: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Clinical Risks, and Potential Influence of Concomitant Antidiabetic Medications

Although dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibitors have been reported to have a neutral effect on thromboembolic vaso-occlusive events in large-scale trials, they act to potentiate several endogenous peptides that can exert deleterious cardiovascular effects. Experimentally, DPP-4 inhibitors may augment the ability of glucagon-like peptide-1 to stimulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate in cardiomyocytes, and potentiation of the effects of stromal cell-derived factor-1 by DPP-4 inhibitors may aggravate cardiac fibrosis. These potentially deleterious actions of DPP-4 inhibitors might not become clinically apparent if these drugs were to promote sodium excretion. However, the natriuretic effect of DPP-4 inhibitors is modest, because they act on the distal (rather than proximal) renal tubules. Accordingly, both clinical trials and observational studies have reported an increase in the risk of heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes who were receiving DPP-4 inhibitors. This risk may be muted in trials with a high prevalence of metformin use or with low and declining background use of insulin and thiazolidinediones. Still, the most vulnerable patients (i.e., those with established heart failure) were not well represented in these studies. The only trial that specifically evaluated patients with pre-existing left ventricular dysfunction observed important drug-related adverse structural and clinical effects. In conclusion, an increased risk of worsening heart failure appears to be a class effect of DPP-4 inhibitors, even in patients without a history of heart failure. Additional clinical trials are urgently needed to elucidate the benefits and risks of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with established left ventricular dysfunction.

Dapagliflozin is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes (CVD-REAL Nordic) when compared with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor therapy: A multinational observational study

AIMS

To compare the sodium-glucose-cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor dapagliflozin with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors with regard to risk associations with major adverse cardiovascular (CV) events (MACE; non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or cardiovascular mortality), hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), atrial fibrillation and severe hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in a real-world setting.

METHODS

All patients with T2D prescribed glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs) during 2012 to 2015 were identified in nationwide registries in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Patients were divided into two groups: new users of dapagliflozin and new users of DPP-4 inhibitors, matched 1:3 by propensity score, calculated by patient characteristics, comorbidities and drug treatment. Cox survival models were used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) per country separately, and a weighted average was calculated.

RESULTS

After matching, a total of 40 908 patients with T2D were identified as new users of dapagliflozin (n = 10 227) or a DPP-4 inhibitor (n = 30 681). The groups were well balanced at baseline; their mean age was 61 years and 23% had CV disease. The mean follow-up time was 0.95 years, with a total of 38 760 patient-years. Dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of MACE, HHF and all-cause mortality compared with DPP-4 inhibitors: HRs 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.94), 0.62 (95% CI 0.50-0.77), and 0.59 (95% CI 0.49-0.72), respectively. Numerically lower, but non-significant HRs were observed for myocardial infarction (0.91 [95% CI 0.72-1.16]), stroke (0.79 [95% CI 0.61-1.03]) and CV mortality (0.76 [95% CI 0.53-1.08]) Neutral associations with atrial fibrillation and severe hypoglycaemia were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Dapagliflozin was associated with lower risks of CV events and all-cause mortality compared with DPP-4 inhibitors in a real-world clinical setting and a broad T2D population.

Have dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors ameliorated the vascular complications of type 2 diabetes in large-scale trials? The potential confounding effect of stem-cell chemokines

Drugs that inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) are conventionally regarded as incretin-based agents that signal through the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. However, inhibition of DPP-4 also potentiates the stem cell chemokine, stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), which can promote inflammation, proliferative responses and neovascularization. In large-scale cardiovascular outcome trials, enhanced GLP-1 signaling has reduced the risk of atherosclerotic ischemic events, potentially because GLP-1 retards the growth and increases the stability of atherosclerotic plaques. However, DPP-4 inhibitors have not reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, possibly because potentiation of SDF-1 enhances plaque growth and instability, activates deleterious neurohormonal mechanisms, and promotes cardiac inflammation and fibrosis. Similarly, trials with GLP-1 agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors have reported favorable effects on renal function, even after only 3-4 years of treatment. In contrast, no benefits on the rate of decline in glomerular filtration rate have been seen in trials of DPP-4 inhibitors, perhaps because the renal actions of DPP-4 inhibitors are primarily mediated by potentiation of SDF-1, not GLP-1. Experimentally, SDF-1 can promote podocyte injury and glomerulosclerosis. Furthermore, the natriuretic action of SDF-1 occurs primarily in the distal tubules, where it cannot utilize tubuloglomerular feedback to modulate the deleterious effects of glomerular hyperfiltration. Potentiation of SDF-1 in experimental models may also exacerbate both retinopathy and neuropathy. Therefore, although DPP-4 inhibitors have attractive clinical features, the benefits that might be expected from GLP-1 signaling may be undermined by their actions to enhance SDF-1.

Cost-consequence analysis of sitagliptin versus sulfonylureas as add-on therapy for the treatment of diabetic patients in Italy

Objective

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease related to a significant impact in both epidemiologic and economic terms. In Italy, around 3.6 million people are affected by diabetes and this number is expected to increase significantly in the next few years. As recommended by current national and international guidelines, metformin (Met) is prescribed as first-line pharmacological treatment, and many pharmacological alternatives are available for patients uncontrolled with Met monotherapy. Despite the availability of many innovative oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), such as dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4-i) and its first-in-class sitagliptin (SITA), which entered the Italian market in the last 10 years, their usage is consistently lower than traditional drugs such as sulfonylureas (SUs). In fact, due to higher acquisition costs, the prescription of innovative OADs in Italy is restricted to specialist, resulting in a prominent usage of traditional OAD that can be prescribed also by general practitioners (GPs). A cost consequence analysis (CCA) was performed in order to compare SITA with SU, as second-line therapy in add-on to Met, in terms of costs and related clinical events over 36 months.

Methods

A CCA was conducted on a hypothetical cohort of 100,000 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients uncontrolled with Met monotherapy, from both the Italian National Health Service (INHS) and societal perspective. Therefore, both direct (drugs, self-monitoring, hypoglycemia, major cardiovascular events [MACEs], and switch to insulin) and indirect costs (expressed in terms of productivity losses) were evaluated. Clinical and economic data were collected through Italian national tariffs, literature, and experts' opinions. Three expert clinicians finally validated data inputs. To assess robustness of base case results, a one-way sensitivity analysis (OWSA) and a conservative scenario analysis - excluding MACEs - were carried out.

Results

In the base case analysis, the higher drug costs related to SITA were offset by other management costs (ie, lower use of devices for glycemia self-monitoring, lower incidence of hypoglycemia and MACE, and delay to insulin switch). As a result, the economic evaluation showed that, compared to SU, SITA was cost saving from both societal (-€61,217,723) and INHS (-€51,846,442) perspectives over 3 years as add-on to Met. The base case results were also confirmed by the scenario analysis and by the OWSA performed on the key parameters. The adoption of SITA, in a cohort of 100,000 diabetes patients, would avoid 26,882 non-severe hypoglycemic events, 6,528 severe hypoglycemic events, and 1,562 MACEs.

Conclusion

This analysis suggests that, compared to SU, SITA could be a sustainable and cost-saving alternative for the management of T2DM patients uncontrolled with Met monotherapy from both clinical and economic perspectives.

Cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes following initiation of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors versus other glucose-lowering drugs (CVD-REAL Nordic): a multinational observational analysis

BACKGROUND

In patients with type 2 diabetes and a high cardiovascular risk profile, the sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors empagliflozin and canagliflozin have been shown to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Using real-world data from clinical practice, we aimed to compare cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in new users of SGLT2 inhibitors versus new users of other glucose-lowering drugs, in a population with a broad cardiovascular risk profile.

METHODS

CVD-REAL Nordic was an observational analysis of individual patient-level data from the Prescribed Drug Registers, Cause of Death Registers, and National Patient Registers in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. All patients who filled a prescription for glucose-lowering drugs between 2012 and 2015 were included and followed up until Dec 31, 2015. Patients were divided into new users of SGLT2 inhibitors and new users of other glucose-lowering drugs. Each SGLT2 inhibitor user was matched with three users of other glucose-lowering drugs by use of propensity scores. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by country (Cox survival model) and weighted averages were calculated. Cardiovascular outcomes investigated were cardiovascular mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke), hospital events for heart failure (inpatient or outpatient visit with a primary diagnosis of heart failure), non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and atrial fibrillation. We also assessed incidence of severe hypoglycaemia.

FINDINGS

Matched SGLT2 inhibitor (n=22 830) and other glucose-lowering drug (n=68 490) groups were well balanced at baseline, with a mean follow-up of 0·9 (SD 4·1) years (80 669 patient-years) and mean age of 61 (12·0) years; 40% (36 362 of 91 320) were women and prevalence of cardiovascular disease was 25% (22 686 of 91 320). 94% of the total SGLT2 inhibitor exposure time was for use of dapagliflozin, with 5% for empagliflozin, and 1% for canagliflozin. Compared with other glucose-lowering drugs, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular mortality (HR 0·53 [95% CI 0·40-0·71]), major adverse cardiovascular events (0·78 [0·69-0·87]), and hospital events for heart failure (0·70 [0·61-0·81]; p<0·0001 for all). We did not identify significant differences between use of SGLT2 inhibitors and use of other glucose-lowering drugs for non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, or atrial fibrillation. Compared with other glucose-lowering drugs, use of SGLT2 inhibitors was associated with a decreased risk of severe hypoglycaemia (HR 0·76 [0·65-0·90]; p=0·001). For cardiovascular mortality, the differences were similar for the 25% of individuals with cardiovascular disease at baseline and those without (HR 0·60 [0·42-0·85] vs 0·55 [0·34-0·90]), while for major adverse cardiovascular events the HR in the group with cardiovascular disease at baseline was 0·70 (0·59-0·83) versus 0·90 (0·76-1·07) in the group without.

INTERPRETATION

In a population of patients with type 2 diabetes and a broad cardiovascular risk profile, SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with reduced cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular mortality compared with use of other glucose-lowering drugs-a finding consistent with the results of clinical trials in patients at high cardiovascular risk.

FUNDING

AstraZeneca.

Novel oral glucose-lowering drugs are associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events and severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS

To investigate the association of novel oral glucose-lowering drugs (GLDs), compared with that of insulin, with risk of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and severe hypoglycaemia.

METHODS

During 2013 to 2014 all patients with type 2 diabetes in Sweden identified as new users of novel oral GLDs, either dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (only dapagliflozin available in Sweden during the study period), with those initiating insulin as a comparison group, in the Prescribed Drug Register were included and followed in the Patient and Cause of Death Registers. The novel GLD group and insulin group were matched 1:1 using propensity score. Cox regression models were used to estimate risks.

RESULTS

Of 37 603 patients, 21 758 were matched 1:1 to novel GLD vs insulin groups, with median follow-up times of 1.51 years (16 304 patient-years) and 1.53 years (16 306 patient-years), respectively. Treatment with novel GLDs was associated with a 44% (hazard ratio [HR] 0.56 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.49-0.64]), 15% (HR 0.85 [95% CI 0.73-0.99]) and 74% (0.26 [95% CI 0.12-0.57]) lower risk of all-cause mortality, CVD and hypoglycaemia, respectively, compared with insulin treatment. In separate analyses for the two novel GLDs, dapagliflozin was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality and CVD (56% [HR 0.44, 95% CI 0.28-0.70] and 49% [HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.30-0.86], respectively), while DPP-4 inhibitor treatment was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (41% [HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.51-0.67]), but not with CVD (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.75-1.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Novel oral GLD treatment was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, CVD and severe hypoglycaemia compared with insulin treatment. Dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of both all-cause mortality and CVD, whereas DPP-4 inhibitor treatment was only associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality.