In a nutshell
This study examined whether SGLT-2 inhibitors were effective as a complement to insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes. The authors concluded that SGLT-2 Inhibitors had the potential to be a complementary treatment option.
Some background
Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) do not produce enough insulin (a hormone) to control their blood sugar levels. They thus need to be treated with additional insulin in order to manage their blood sugar. Insulin therapy can sometimes, hower, cause weight gain and / or hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar). In recent years, new complementary treatments (which aim to reduce side effects) have become available. Sodium glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors are a possible complementary treatment option. They have been effective in treating patients with type 2 diabetes. It is unclear, however, how SGLT-2 Inhibitors affect patients with T1D.
Methods & findings
The bottom line
This study concluded that SGLT-2 Inhibitors may be a useful "add-on" treatment option for patients with T1D.
The fine print
Larger and longer trials are needed. Patients with kidney- or heart disease were not examined, so treatment may not be suitable in these cases. Furthermore, the majority of the patients examined had initially relatively well controlled blood sugar and/or were young; SGLT-2 Inhibitiors might not be as effective for other patients.
Published By :
Scientific reports
Date :
Mar 09, 2017
