Reduction in cardiovascular disease events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor versus a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor: a real-world retrospective administrative database analysis in Japan

Key results from observational studies and real-world evidence of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor effectiveness and safety in reducing cardio-renal risk

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, originally designed to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), have emerged as a crucial class of drugs for managing cardio-renal diseases. These drugs work by targeting the SGLT2 protein in the kidneys, promoting the excretion of glucose and influencing metabolic pathways beyond glucose control. The relationship between cardio-renal diseases and SGLT2 inhibitors has been explored through landmark trials and real-world evidence (RWE) studies, demonstrating significant reductions in cardio-renal complications. This review discusses the importance of RWE studies alongside randomized controlled trials in understanding the real-world effectiveness and safety of SGLT2 inhibitors. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of RWE compared to RCTs, highlighting their complementary roles in providing comprehensive insights into treatment outcomes. By examining a range of RWE studies, the review underscores the cardio-renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors across various patient populations. Safety assessments indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors are generally well tolerated, with severe adverse events being rare. Common issues, such as genital mycotic infections and urinary tract infections, are acknowledged, alongside less frequent but significant adverse events including diabetic ketoacidosis, lower-limb amputations, and bone fractures. In summary, SGLT2 inhibitors show promising cardio-renal protective effects in real-world scenarios across diverse populations in T2D, indicating their potential as early intervention measures. Continued research is essential for gaining a thorough understanding of their long-term effects and safety profiles.

Healthcare resource utilization and healthcare costs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus initiating sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in Japan: A real-world administrative database analysis

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and healthcare costs are important factors to consider when selecting appropriate treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus. We compared the HCRU and healthcare costs of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) vs dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a Japanese retrospective cohort study conducted using the JMDC Claims Database (January 1, 2015-December 31, 2021). Patients newly treated with an SGLT2i (31,872 patients) or a DPP4i (73,279 patients) were matched 1:1, using propensity score, after excluding patients without continuous SGLT2i or DPP4i prescriptions after the index date. HCRU and healthcare costs were compared between the treatment groups in the full cohort and subcohorts/subgroups of different baseline characteristics, including body mass index (BMI).

RESULTS

After matching, patient characteristics were well balanced (17,767 patients each). Patients receiving an SGLT2i vs those receiving a DPP4i had significantly lower numbers of hospitalizations per person per month (PPPM) and outpatient visits PPPM, and had shorter lengths of stay per hospitalization. Healthcare costs, including all-cause overall healthcare costs PPPM and all-cause hospitalization costs PPPM, were generally lower in patients receiving an SGLT2i than those receiving a DPP4i. Similar results were observed among patients with a higher BMI but not among patients with a lower BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

SGLT2i were associated with lower HCRU and healthcare costs than DPP4i, suggesting economic benefits with SGLT2i vs DPP4i in type 2 diabetes mellitus management.

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes: Are clinical trial benefits for heart failure reflected in real-world clinical practice? A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

AIM

To determine the absolute risk reduction (ARR) of heart failure events in people treated with sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL and ISI Web of Science for observational studies published to 9 May 2022 that explored the association between SGLT2 inhibitors and any indication for heart failure (including new diagnosis or hospitalization for heart failure) in type 2 diabetes. Identified studies were independently screened by two reviewers and assessed for bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Eligible studies with comparable outcome data were pooled for meta-analysis using random-effects models, reporting hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The ARR per 100 person-years was determined overall, and in subgroups with and without baseline cardiovascular disease (CVD).

RESULTS

From 43 eligible studies, with a total of 4 818 242 participants from 17 countries, 21 were included for meta-analysis. SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of hospitalization for heart failure (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59-0.72) overall and both in those with CVD (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.68-0.89) and without CVD (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.39-0.71). Risk reduction for hospitalization for heart failure in people with a history of CVD (ARR 1.17, 95% CI 0.78-1.55) was significantly greater than for those without CVD (ARR 0.39, 95% CI 0.32-0.47). The number-needed-to-treat to prevent one event of hospitalization for heart failure was 86 (95% CI 65-128) person-years of treatment for the CVD group and 256 (95% CI 215-316) person-years for those without CVD.

CONCLUSIONS

Real-world SGLT2 inhibitor use supports randomized trial data for the size effect of reduced hospitalization for heart failure in type 2 diabetes, although with a much lower ARR in people without CVD.

Cardiometabolic risk reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus newly treated with a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor versus a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor: A real-world administrative database study in Japan

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have shown beneficial effects on cardiometabolic risk factors (hemoglobin A1c, body mass index, systolic blood pressure) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. We compared combined cardiometabolic effects of SGLT2i on hemoglobin A1c, body mass index and systolic blood pressure versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This Japanese retrospective cohort study used the JMDC claims database. Patients newly treated with an SGLT2i (n = 18,936) or DPP4i (n = 55,484) were enrolled (January 2015-March 2020) and matched 1:1 using the propensity score. The primary end-point was the proportion of patients achieving a composite outcome (i.e., simultaneous absolute/percent reduction in hemoglobin A1c ≥0.5%, body mass index ≥3% and systolic blood pressure ≥2 mmHg) 1 year after first SGLT2i or DPP4i prescription; Mantel-Haenszel common risk difference and its 95% confidence interval were estimated. Other end-points included treatment persistence, with the associated hazard ratio calculated using the Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

After matching, patient characteristics were balanced (7,302 patients each). The proportion of patients achieving the composite outcome was significantly greater in patients receiving an SGLT2i than those receiving a DPP4i (31.0% [1,279/4,120] vs 12.9% [524/4,070], risk difference 18.6%, 95% confidence interval 16.3, 20.9, P < 0.001). Risk of treatment discontinuation was significantly lower in the SGLT2i group than in the DPP4i group (hazard ratio 0.85, 95% confidence interval 0.81, 0.90, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In the present study, SGLT2i showed favorable cardiometabolic risk reduction and longer treatment persistence than DPP4i in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.