Cardiorenal outcomes, kidney function, and other safety outcomes with ertugliflozin in older adults with type 2 diabetes (VERTIS CV): secondary analyses from a randomised, double-blind trial

Diabetes, SGLT-2 Inhibitors, and Urinary Tract Infection: a Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this review is to focus on epidemiology, pathogenesis, risk factors, management, and complications of UTI in people with diabetes as well as reviewing the association of SGLT-2 inhibitors with genitourinary infections.

RECENT FINDINGS

Individuals diagnosed with T2DM are more prone to experiencing UTIs and recurrent UTIs compared to individuals without T2DM. T2DM is associated with an increased risk of any genitourinary infections (GUI), urinary tract infections (UTIs), and genital infections (GIs) across all age categories. SGLT2 inhibitors are a relatively new class of anti-hyperglycemic agents, and studies suggest that they are associated with an increased risk of genitourinary infections. The management of diabetes and lifestyle modifications with a patient-centric approach are the most recognized methods for preventing critical long-term complications including genitourinary manifestations of diabetes. The available data regarding the association of SGLT-2 inhibitors with genitourinary infections is more comprehensive compared to that with UTIs. Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlining the association between SGLT-2 inhibitors and genital infections and UTIs.

Efficacy and Safety of Dapagliflozin in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Across the Spectrum of Frailty

BACKGROUND

A sizeable proportion of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are reported to be frail. Here we examined the safety and efficacy of dapagliflozin in patients with CKD by frailty level.

METHODS

Adults with CKD, with/without type 2 diabetes, with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 25-75 mL/min/1.73 m2, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio 200-5 000 mg/g were randomized to dapagliflozin (10 mg/day) or placebo. The primary endpoint was a composite of sustained ≥50% eGFR decline, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), or death from kidney or cardiovascular (CV) causes.

RESULTS

Frailty index (FI), assessed by Rockwood cumulative deficit approach, was calculable in 4 303/4 304 (99.9%) patients: 1 162 (27.0%) in not-to-mildly frail (FI ≤0.210), 1 642 (38.2%) in moderately frail (FI 0.211-0.310), and 1 499 (34.8%) in severely frail categories (FI >0.311). Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite endpoint across all FI categories (hazard ratios [95% confidence interval {CI}]: 0.50 [0.33-0.76], 0.62 [0.45-0.85], and 0.64 [0.49--0.83], respectively; p-interaction = 0.67). Results were similar for secondary outcomes including kidney composite outcome (sustained ≥50% eGFR decline, ESKD or death from kidney cause; p-interaction = 0.44), CV endpoint (heart failure hospitalization or CV death; p-interaction = 0.63), and all-cause mortality (p-interaction p = .42). Results were consistent when using FI as a continuous variable. Occurrence of serious adverse events was numerically lower in patients receiving dapagliflozin versus placebo in all FI categories (16.9% vs 20.1%, 26.3% vs 30.7%, and 42.9% vs 47.8%, in not-to-mildly, moderately, and severely frail categories, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The relative benefit of dapagliflozin for all outcomes was consistent across all frailty categories, with no difference in associated safety.

Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition)

With the deepening of aging in China, the prevalence of diabetes in older people has increased noticeably, and standardized diabetes management is critical for improving clinical outcomes of diabetes in older people. In 2021, the National Center of Gerontology, Chinese Society of Geriatrics, and Diabetes Professional Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association organized experts to write the first guideline for diabetes diagnosis and treatment in older people in China, the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2021 Edition). The guideline emphasizes that older patients with diabetes are a highly heterogeneous group requiring comprehensive assessment and stratified and individualized management strategies. The guideline proposes simple treatments and de-intensified treatment strategies for older patients with diabetes. This edition of the guideline provides clinicians with practical and operable clinical guidance, thus greatly contributing to the comprehensive and full-cycle standardized management of older patients with diabetes in China and promoting the extensive development of clinical and basic research on diabetes in older people and related fields. In the past 3 years, evidence-based medicine for older patients with diabetes and related fields has further advanced, and new treatment concepts, drugs, and technologies have been developed. The guideline editorial committee promptly updated the first edition of the guideline and compiled the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition). More precise management paths for older patients with diabetes are proposed, for achieving continued standardization of the management of older Chinese patients with diabetes and improving their clinical outcomes.

Age disparities in glucose-lowering treatment for Danish people with type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study between 2019 and 2020

BACKGROUND

The pharmacotherapeutic guidelines for type 2 diabetes have changed considerably during the past decades. SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists have emerged as first-line agents by preventing cardiovascular events within a few years of treatment. In contrast, sulphonylureas and insulin have been deprioritised due to less beneficial effects and the risk of hypoglycaemia-particularly in older people who are frail. We hypothesised that medications with a high risk of hypoglycaemia were used more often in older people compared with younger people.

METHODS

In a nationwide cohort of people with type 2 diabetes in Denmark from 2019 to 2020, we described the use of specific glucose-lowering medications in relation to age and glycated haemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) by descriptive statistics and regression models adjusted for sex, socioeconomic factors, renal function, and several comorbidities.

FINDINGS

Among 290 890 people with type 2 diabetes, glucose-lowering medication usage peaked at age 70 years. Increasing age was associated with relatively less use of metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and SGLT2 inhibitors and more use of basal insulin, DDP-4 inhibitors, and sulphonylureas. When comparing 80-year-olds with 60-year-olds at similar HbA1c levels of 6·5% (48 mmol/mol), 80-year-olds used 8% (95% CI 7-10%) fewer glucose-lowering medications, were 55% less likely to receive GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 inhibitors (relative ratio 0·45, 95% CI 0·42-0·48), and 65% more likely to receive sulphonylureas (1·65, 1·54-1·76). Among 23 032 individuals aged 80 years or older with HbA1c levels of less than 6·5% (<48 mmol/mol), 2291 (10%) used sulphonylureas or insulin.

INTERPRETATION

In Danish people with type 2 diabetes, the likelihood of using glucose-lowering medications with a high risk of hypoglycaemia (eg, sulphonylureas and basal insulin) increased with age, whereas the likelihood of using GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors decreased. Some people aged 80 years or older with an HbA1c level of less than 6·5% (48 mmol/mol) were potentially overtreated with sulphonylureas or insulin. These findings emphasise the importance of frequently re-evaluating glucose-lowering treatments.

FUNDING

None.

TRANSLATION

For the Danish translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.