Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes - A Consensus Statement Jointly From the Japanese Circulation Society and the Japan Diabetes Society

Changes in Cardiovascular and Renal Biomarkers Associated with SGLT2 Inhibitors Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a major health problem worldwide with a steadily increasing prevalence reaching epidemic proportions. The major concern is the increased morbidity and mortality due to diabetic complications. Traditional but also nontraditional risk factors have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications. Hyperglycemia has been considered an important risk factor, and the strict glycemic control can have a positive impact on microangiopathy but not macroangiopathy and its related morbidity and mortality. Thus, the therapeutic algorithm has shifted focus from a glucose-centered approach to a strategy that now emphasizes target-organ protection. Sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors is an extremely important class of antidiabetic medications that, in addition to their glucose lowering effect, also exhibit cardio- and renoprotective effects. Various established and novel biomarkers have been described, reflecting kidney and cardiovascular function. In this review, we investigated the changes in established but also novel biomarkers of kidney, heart and vascular function associated with sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Use of diabetes medications in adults with T2D and CVD in Japan: secondary analysis of the CAPTURE study

Introduction

The CAPTURE study estimated the global prevalence of established cardiovascular disease (CVD) and characterized the usage of glucose-lowering agents (GLAs) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across 13 countries. The purpose of this secondary analysis of data from the Japanese sites within CAPTURE (NCT03786406, NCT03811288) was to provide data about medication usage stratified by CVD status among Japanese participants with T2D.

Materials and methods

Data on GLA usage (including those with proven cardiovascular [CV] benefits) in Japanese participants with T2D managed in clinics or hospitals were collected and stratified by CVD subgroups.

Results

There were 800 Japanese participants in the CAPTURE study (n = 502 [no CVD group], n = 298 [CVD group], n = 268 [atherosclerotic CVD subgroup]). Oral antidiabetic agents and insulin were used by 88.5% and 23.4%, respectively, of participants overall. Among participants with established CVD, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (65.1%) were most frequently used, followed by biguanides (50.7%) and insulins (26.2%). The pattern was similar among participants with atherosclerotic CVD. A lower proportion of participants in the CVD group used glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) with proven CV benefits versus the no CVD group (GLP-1 RAs: 7.0% vs. 8.6%; SGLT-2is: 13.4% vs. 19.1%).

Conclusion

This analysis of the CAPTURE study provided a comprehensive overview of prescription patterns for the treatment of T2D in Japan. Use of GLAs with proven CV benefit was low, even in participants with established CVD, which was comparable to the findings from the global cohort.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-023-00638-w.

Incidence and risks of coronary heart disease and heart failure in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Fukuoka Diabetes Registry

AIMS

We prospectively investigated the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and heart failure (HF), risk factors and prognosis in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

A total of 4,874 outpatients with type 2 diabetes (mean age 65 years, male 57%, previous CHD 14%) were registered at multicenter diabetes clinics of a prefecture in 2008-2010 and followed for the development of CHD and HF requiring hospitalization for a median of 5.3 years (follow-up rate 98%). Risk factors were evaluated using multivariable adjusted Cox proportional models.

RESULTS

The incidence rates per 1,000 person-years were 12.3 for CHD (silent myocardial ischemia 5.8, angina pectoris 4.3, myocardial infarction 2.1) and 3.1 for hospitalized HF, respectively. New-onset CHD was significantly associated with higher serum adiponectin [the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile HR 1.6 (95%CI 1.0-2.6)]. HF was significantly associated with higher serum adiponectin [the highest quartile vs. the lowest quartile HR 2.4 (95%CI 1.1-5.2)], and lower serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio, a surrogate marker for sarcopenia [lowest quartile vs. the highest quartile HR 4.6 (95%CI 1.9-11.1)].

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of heart disease was low and circulating adiponectin and sarcopenia may predict the development of heart disease in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular disease prevalence in adults with type 2 diabetes in Japan: results from the Japanese centers in the CAPTURE study

Introduction

CAPTURE was a cross-sectional, non-interventional study (NCT03786406, NCT03811288) investigating the prevalence and characteristics of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) across 13 countries worldwide. Here we present the findings for Japan.

Materials and methods

Data were collected from adults aged ≥ 20 years (aged ≥ 18 years in countries outside Japan) with T2D who were managed in clinics or hospitals in 2019. Standardized methodology was used for all countries. The prevalence of CVD and its subtypes was estimated, weighted by care setting (clinics versus hospitals).

Results

Among participants from Japan (total: 800; clinics: 440; hospitals: 360), mean (standard deviation) age was 65.6 (11.2) years and glycated hemoglobin 7.2% (0.9). Sixty-seven percent of participants were male, 57.8% had diabetes duration > 10 years, 49.8% had body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and 63.1% had hypertension. The weighted prevalences (95% confidence interval [CI]) of CVD and atherosclerotic CVD were 37.3% (34.2;40.3) and 33.5% (30.6;36.4), respectively. The prevalence (95% CI) of the most common subtypes of CVD was: carotid artery disease 20.5% (18.2;22.8), coronary heart disease 11.9% (9.7;14.1) and cerebrovascular disease 10.4% (8.3;12.5).

Conclusions

These contemporary data from the CAPTURE study on CVD prevalence in adults with T2D in Japan show that approximately one in three adults with T2D had established CVD, which is comparable to the prevalence in the global study cohort.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13340-022-00612-y.

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.

Cardiovascular events and atherosclerosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance -What are the medical treatments to prevent cardiovascular events in such patients?

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) significantly induce advanced coronary artery disease and systemic atherosclerosis. Thus, T2DM and IGT are traditional risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). On the other hand, acute coronary syndrome is frequently caused by the rupture of coronary atherosclerotic plaques, which reduces patients' quality of life and may result in death. To date, many trials have sought to identify ways to determine the coronary plaque volume and its vulnerability, and many studies have demonstrated that some specific antihyperglycemic agents may prevent coronary or carotid plaque progression, decrease plaque volume, induce plaque stability, and improve clinical outcomes in patients with T2DM and IGT. This article reviews i) the association between coronary or carotid plaques and abnormal glucose tolerance, including T2DM; and ii) the effects of oral antihyperglycemic drugs to improve clinical outcomes and stabilize atherosclerotic plaques in patients with T2DM and IGT.

Real-World Evidence of Treatment with Teneligliptin/Canagliflozin Combination Tablets for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Post-Marketing Surveillance in Japan

Introduction

Teneligliptin/canagliflozin combination tablets, which combine a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (teneligliptin) and a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor (canagliflozin), are a treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Japan. This post-marketing surveillance evaluated the real-world safety and effectiveness of teneligliptin/canagliflozin combination tablets, and changes in self-reported adherence to oral antihyperglycaemic agents.

Methods

Japanese patients with T2DM who were prescribed the combination tablets for the first time between December 2017 and June 2018 were registered and followed up for 12 months. Safety and effectiveness were assessed in terms of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the changes in haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and body weight from baseline to 12 months with the last observation carried forward, respectively. Adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8.

Results

Overall, 821 patients were eligible for the analyses, including 733 who were prescribed the combination tablets for 12 months. ADRs and serious ADRs were reported in 4.38% and 0.85% of patients, respectively. Gastrointestinal disorders (0.97%) were the most common class of ADRs. No new safety concerns were identified beyond those described in the Japanese package insert. The changes in HbA1c and body weight from baseline to 12 months were − 0.43 ± 0.93% and − 1.29 ± 5.57 kg, respectively. The reductions in HbA1c at 12 months tended to be greater among patients who switched from either DPP-4 inhibitors (− 0.71 ± 0.89%) or SGLT2 inhibitors (− 0.51 ± 1.00%) relative to patients who switched from both (− 0.22 ± 0.88%). The decrease in body weight was greatest among patients who switched from DPP-4 inhibitors. An improvement in self-reported adherence to oral antihyperglycaemic agents occurred after switching to the combination tablets.

Conclusion

Teneligliptin/canagliflozin combination tablets were effective and associated with an improvement in adherence without new safety concerns in Japanese patients with T2DM in real-world clinical practice.

Trial Registration

JapicCTI-173778.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-02038-5.

Teneligliptin/canagliflozin combination tablets are used as an option for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Japan. We performed this surveillance to obtain data on the frequency of side effects (adverse drug reactions) and effectiveness (in terms of changes in haemoglobin A1c and body weight) in Japanese patients treated with teneligliptin/canagliflozin combination tablets in real-world clinical practice. We also asked patients to evaluate their adherence to oral antihyperglycaemic agents as part of their prescribed therapies. We collected data for up to 12 months. We detected no new safety concerns, other than those already described in the Japanese package insert for the combination tablets. In terms of effectiveness, we observed improvements in both haemoglobin A1c and body weight over 12 months of treatment. Furthermore, self-reported adherence to oral antihyperglycaemic agents improved after treatment with the combination tablets.

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

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the benefit of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) versus dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with and without a CVD history.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used Japanese hospital administrative data from the Medical Data Vision database (January 2015 to April 2020). Patients with T2DM (N=625,739) who were new users of an SGLT2i (N=57,070; 9.1%) or DPP4i (N=568,669; 90.9%) were included. Outcomes included hospitalization for heart failure (hHF), all-cause death (ACD), and the composite of hHF or ACD. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using the inverse probability weighting Cox proportional hazards model to compare CVD event risks between treatment groups.

RESULTS

Compared with DPP4i, SGLT2i was associated with a significant reduction in hHF risk among patients without a CVD history (HR 0.507, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.283-0.907), but not in the full cohort or those with a CVD history. SGLT2i was associated with a significant risk reduction of ACD (HR 0.592, 95% CI 0.481-0.729), and the composite of hHF or ACD (HR 0.712, 95% CI 0.613-0.826), compared with DPP4i in the full cohort; similar results were observed among patients with and without a CVD history.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world study, SGLT2i versus DPP4i was associated with a significant reduction in hHF, ACD, and hHF or ACD events, in patients with T2DM without a CVD history.

Comparison of the clinical effect of empagliflozin on glycemic and non-glycemic parameters in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease treated with or without baseline metformin

Background

The most recent treatment guidelines for type 2 diabetes (T2D) recommend sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors should be considered preferentially in patients with T2D with either a high cardiovascular risk or with cardiovascular disease (CVD), regardless of their diabetes status and prior use of conventional metformin therapy. Whether the therapeutic impact of SGLT2 inhibitors on clinical parameters differs according to the use of metformin therapy however remains unclear.

Methods

The study was a post hoc analysis of the EMBLEM trial (UMIN000024502). All participants (n = 105; women 31.4%; mean age 64.8 years) had both T2D and CVD and were randomized to either 24 weeks of empagliflozin 10 mg daily or placebo. Analysis of the data assessed the effect of empagliflozin on changes from baseline to 24 weeks in glycemic and non-glycemic clinical parameters, according to the baseline use of metformin.

Results

Overall, 53 (50.5%) patients received baseline metformin. In the 52 patients treated with empagliflozin (48.1% with baseline metformin), the decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline levels was greater in patients receiving metformin, compared to that observed in metformin-naïve patients (group difference − 8.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) − 17.7 to 0.6 mmHg], p = 0.066). Reduction in body mass index (BMI) was significantly greater in patients receiving baseline metformin, relative to nonusers (− 0.54 [95% CI − 1.07 to − 0.01] kg/m², p = 0.047). The group ratio (baseline metformin users vs. nonusers) of proportional changes in the geometric mean of high-sensitivity Troponin-I (hs-TnI) was 0.74 (95% CI 0.59 to 0.92, p = 0.009). No obvious differences were observed in glycemic parameters (fasting plasma glucose, glycohemoglobin, and glycoalbumin) between the baseline metformin users and nonusers.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest 24 weeks of empagliflozin treatment was associated with an improvement in glycemic control, irrespective of the baseline use of metformin therapy. The effects of empagliflozin on reductions in BMI and hs-TnI were more apparent in patients who received baseline metformin therapy, compared to that observed in metformin-naïve patients.

Trial registration University Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry, number 000024502

Renoprotective Effect of the Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Esaxerenone

Background: The effects of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, including the newly introduced esaxerenone, on renal function remain uncertain.

Methods and Results: This retrospective study was performed on patients who received esaxerenone for resistant hypertension between November 2019 and June 2020. Trends in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared between the 6-month period before esaxerenone treatment (pre-treatment period) and the 6-month treatment period on esaxerenone. Twenty-six patients (15 men), with a median age of 70 years (interquartile range [IQR] 51–73 years) and a median systolic blood pressure of 146 mmHg (IQR 139–156 mmHg), were included in the study and completed 6 months of esaxerenone therapy without any adverse events. eGFR decreased significantly during the pre-treatment period (from 66.6 to 59.5 mL/min/1.73 m²; P=0.003), whereas eGFR was unchanged during the treatment period (from 59.5 to 61.8 mL/min/1.73 m²; P=0.15). The median change in eGFR differed significantly between the treatment and pre-treatment periods (3.8 [IQR −4.2, 6.8] vs. −6.1 [IQR −11.1, 1.8] mL/min/1.73 m², respectively; P=0.008).

Conclusions: Esaxerenone may have renoprotective effects when administered to treat hypertension. Further studies are needed to understand which patient populations may see greater renoprotective benefits with esaxerenone.