Treatment with DPP-4i versus sulphonylureas yield similar MACE risk in type 2 diabetics: Study

UK: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients treated with DPP-4 inhibitors versus sulphonylureas as add-on to metformin has a similar risk of cardiovascular outcomes, a recent has found. The findings, published in the journal Scientific Reports, indicates that the choice should be based on cost and safety, not cardiovascular prognosis. 

Sulphonylureas and DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) are the most widely prescribed add-on treatments following metformin for type 2 diabetes. However, there is not much evidence from clinical practice that compared major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), particularly among those not having any previous MACE history and from population groups. 

To fill the knowledge gap, Juan Carlos Bazo-Alvarez, University College London (UCL), London, UK, and colleagues compared the incidence of MACE (myocardial infarction, stroke, major cardiovascular surgery, unstable angina) and all-cause mortality among those prescribed DPP-4i versus sulphonylureas as an add-on to metformin in people diagnosed with type-2 diabetes mellitus. 

For this purpose, the researchers undertook a retrospective cohort study using electronic health records from UK primary care. The analysis was stratified by history of MACE, age, social deprivation and comorbidities. They were adjusted for HbA1c, weight, smoking-status, comorbidities and medications. The researchers identified 17,570 patients prescribed sulphonylureas and 6,267 prescribed DPP-4i between 2008–2017. 16.3% had pre-existing MACE. 

"The findings imply that cardiovascular considerations should not be the alone criteris for choosing between either therapy," wrote the authors. "This means the decision between both should largely be based on local economic considerations, given that DPP-4i remain more costly however demonstrate no propensity for weight gain and are superior in terms of clinical safety, with respect to hypoglycemia."

Reference:

Bazo-Alvarez, J.C., Pal, K., Pham, T.M. et al. Cardiovascular outcomes of type 2 diabetic patients treated with DPP‑4 inhibitors versus sulphonylureas as add-on to metformin in clinical practice. Sci Rep 11, 23826 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-02670-9