Empagliflozin improves cognitive impairment in frail diabetics with HFpEF: Study

Italy: SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin improves cognitive and physical impairment in frail older adults with type 2 diabetes and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), a recent study has found. The study was published in the journal Diabetes Care on March 21, 2022. 

Previous studies have shown that frail patients with diabetes and HFpEF have a higher risk of cognitive and physical impairment. Empagliflozin is an SGLT2 inhibitor that is part of the newest class of oral hypoglycemic agents, which includes dapagliflozin and canagliflozin. 

The prospective study was designed by Pasquale Mone, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Avellino, Avellino, Italy, and colleagues with an aim to assess whether the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor empagliflozin improves cognitive impairment in frail older adults with diabetes and HFpEF, comparing the effects of metformin, empagliflozin, and insulin.

The study was successfully completed by a total of 162 frail older adults with HFpEF and diabetes. 

"This study is the first to show significant beneficial effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin on cognitive and physical impairment in frail older adults with diabetes and HFpEF," concluded the authors. 

Limitations to the study include no control arm — scores were compared with individuals on insulin and/or metformin; additionally, the follow-up period was only 1 month since starting therapy.

Reference:

Pasquale Mone, Angela Lombardi, Jessica Gambardella, Antonella Pansini, Gaetano Macina, Maria Morgante, Salvatore Frullone, Gaetano Santulli; Empagliflozin Improves Cognitive Impairment in Frail Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction. Diabetes Care 2022; dc212434. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc21-2434