Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for cardiovascular and renal protection: A treatment approach far beyond their glucose-lowering effect

Long-term delirium and survival outcomes in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists versus metformin in type 2 diabetes: A population-based cohort study

AIM

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with an increased risk of delirium and mortality. While glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) provide metabolic and neuroprotective benefits, their long-term impact on delirium risk remains uncertain. This study compares GLP-1 RAs and metformin in relation to delirium and mortality in T2DM patients using real-world data.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX global federated research network, which primarily comprises U.S.-based healthcare organisations (approximately 85%), with additional sites in Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. Adults (≥18 years) with T2DM who initiated GLP-1 RAs or metformin were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) balances baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was incident delirium; the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and time-dependent Cox models assessed associations.

RESULTS

After 1:1 PSM (N = 63 096 per group), GLP-1 RAs showed no overall reduction in delirium risk (AHR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.94-1.02, p = 0.3628). However, they were protective in the first 5 years (AHR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.86-0.92, p < 0.0001) but increased delirium risk between 5 and 10 years (AHR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04-1.26, p = 0.0046). Subgroup analysis revealed lower delirium risk with GLP-1 RAs in middle-aged patients (40-79 years) and those with HbA1c <7.5%. Higher risk was observed in Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander populations. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the relatively small subgroup sizes and the limited representativeness of these groups within the predominantly U.S.-based database, in which Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander patients together accounted for less than 5% of the overall cohort. Mortality risk was lower in absolute terms for GLP-1 RAs (6.28% vs. 9.95%) but higher in long-term hazard (AHR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.12-1.21, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GLP-1 RA use was initially associated with a lower risk of delirium, but this association reversed over time. Subgroup variations suggest individualised treatment considerations. Metformin remains a preferred option given its stable cognitive and survival benefits.

Global Health & Population Project on Access to Care for Cardiometabolic Diseases (HPACC). Reduced insulin use and diabetes complications upon introduction of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP1-receptor agonists in low- and middle-income countries: A microsimulation

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus, particularly type 2 diabetes, is a growing health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The potential impact of newer diabetes medications, such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, on insulin dosage and health outcomes in these settings is not well understood.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We developed a microsimulation model to estimate the impact of treating patients with type 2 diabetes who use insulin with GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT-2 inhibitors in LMICs. The model utilized data from the Global Health and Population Project on Access to Care for Cardiometabolic Diseases (HPACC) dataset, encompassing surveys from 79 countries and clinical trial data to estimate insulin dose reduction. We incorporated weight-based insulin dosing formulas and hazard ratios for severe hypoglycemia, cardiovascular and renal outcomes, side effects of new therapies, and mortality. The primary outcome was the change in insulin dosage, and secondary outcomes were disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost per 1,000 person-years by diabetes complication (micro- and macro-vascular). Our results indicate that the addition of GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT-2 inhibitors could reduce insulin dosage by 8.2 IU/day (IQR: 6.9, 9.5) and 5.3 IU/day (IQR: 4.5, 6.2), respectively. The median DALYs lost per 1,000 person-years decreased from 2.20 (IQR: 1.49, 4.02) to 1.01 (IQR: 0.61, 1.86) with GLP-1 receptor agonists and 1.25 (IQR: 0.81, 2.29) with SGLT-2 inhibitors. Primary benefits arose from weight loss, decreased cardiorenal disease, and decreased mortality, with smaller DALY benefits from the prevention of severe hypoglycemia. Key limitations include the inability to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in some datasets and reliance on assumptions from clinical trials conducted primarily in high-income countries.

CONCLUSIONS

The introduction of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors for managing type 2 diabetes in LMICs could significantly reduce insulin dosage and associated health risks, leading to improved outcomes and reduced disability. These findings suggest that expanding access to these newer diabetes medications in LMICs could have substantial public health benefits.

Non-Insulin-Based Drug Entities Used to Treat Diabetes Type 2 Disease (T2DM), Based on Natural Products from All Sources

Diabetes type 2 (T2DM) is the non-insulin-linked disease that is now becoming a major problem not only in the West but also in Asia (particularly in China and close geographic areas). Unlike the childhood onset diabetic disease (T1DM), which is effectively due to lack of insulin production and is maintained by insulin injection, T2DM is best thought of as an adult disease often being caused by what is now considered "metabolic syndrome" or the culmination of too many insults to the body, in particular obesity and its "coupled diseases" including heart problems. Its symptoms were described in ancient times not only in Europe but also in Asia and with later (1600s) anecdotal reports from South America. In all cases, the diagnostic was "sweet urine" due to the excretion of large amounts of glucose in the urine. This review covers the non-insulin agents approved from 1990 to 2021 from a historical aspect and discussions of the latest agents and can be considered an extension of the author's previous drug source reviews, but this time concentrating on nominally one disease entity, though metabolic syndrome is a collection of ailments.

Non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists and hyperkalemia monitoring in chronic kidney disease patients associated with type II diabetes: a narrative review

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a prevalent complication of Type II diabetes (T2D). The coexistence of CKD with T2D is comparable to cardiovascular disease (CVD) when the estimated glomerular filtration rate declines below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Screening and early detection of people with high risk for CKD would be beneficial in managing CKD progress and the associated complications such as CV complications. Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) have demonstrated beneficial effects in delaying CKD progression, but they carry the risk of hyperkalemia. Nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists (nsMRA), such as finerenone, exhibit considerable efficacy in their anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and renal protective effects with demonstrable reductions in CV complications. In addition, nsMRAs do not cause significant changes in serum potassium levels compared to traditional steroidal MRA. Ongoing research explores the capacity of the sodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), combined with nsMRA, to produce synergistic renal protective effects and reduce the risk of hyperkalemia. Also, a dedicated renal outcomes study (FLOW study) involving a once-weekly injectable Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, semaglutide, was halted early by the data monitoring committee due to having achieved the predefined efficacy endpoint and considerations related to renal disease. In CKD patients with T2D on nsMRA, hyperkalemia management requires a comprehensive approach involving lifestyle adjustments, dietary modifications, regular serum potassium level monitoring, and potassium binders, if necessary. Withholding or down-titration of nsMRAs with close monitoring of serum potassium levels may be required in patients with concerning potassium levels. In light of the current state of knowledge, this review article explores the perspectives and approaches that HCPs may consider when monitoring and managing hyperkalemia in CKD patients with T2D.