SGLT2 inhibitors to treat type 2 diabetes may help to lower the risk of serious kidney problems, finds a ‘real world’ study in The BMJ.
Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. Clinical trials have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors protect renal function among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Now a study based on almost 60,000 patient records, comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with DPP-4 inhibitors found a 58% lower relative risk of serious renal events with SGLT2 inhibitors.
Further analysis found greater risk reduction in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease (CKD).
At the same time, a separate analysis has called for greater transparency over drug safety. Researchers point out that SGLT2 inhibitors have received several serious safety warnings since approval, but the number, timeliness, and strength of these safety communications have differed between American, Australian, Canadian, and European regulators.
Pasternak B, et al. BMJ 2020;369:m1186
https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1186
