In a nutshell
This study investigated if dapagliflozin reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.
They found that dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of non-fatal heart attack and stroke compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i).
Some background
Cardiovascular (CV, heart and circulatory system) disease is a serious complication in patients with type 2 diabetes. Reducing the risk of CV disease is important and there are a number of medications which do this.
Sodium glucose-cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a class of drugs that prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose into the blood. They have been effective in reducing CV disease risk compared to insulin and sulfonylureas (other glucose-lowering medications). Dapagliflozin is an SGLT-2i. It is not clear whether dapagliflozin is more effective at lowering CV risk compared to another class of glucose-lowering medications, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i).
Methods & findings
Information on 40,908 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in this study. The time of follow-up varied, with an average follow-up time of 11.5 months. These patients were receiving either dapagliflozin or a DDP-4i.
Dapagliflozin was associated with a reduced risk of major cardiac events (21%) and heart failure (38%) compared to DDP-4i. There was no difference in risk associated with nonfatal heart attack, stroke or CV mortality.
The bottom line
This study concluded that dapagliflozin was associated with reduced CV disease risk, compared to DPP-4i, in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The fine print
The data does not include laboratory measurements. These are needed to get a clearer picture on the effects of dapagliflozin. Long-term safety studies are also needed.
What’s next?
If you have any concerns regarding cardiovascular complications please discuss them with your doctor.
Published By :
Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date :
Aug 03, 2017
