GLP1RAs associated with reduced amputation rate and CV risk in diabetics: Study

Treatment with GLP1RAs, when compared with DPP4is, was associated with significantly lower composite adverse cardiovascular outcomes and major adverse limb events among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Taiwan: The use of Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs)  is associated with a significantly lower risk of major adverse limb events in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), a recent study has found. The risk reduction was largely driven by a reduced rate of amputations.

"Also, treatment with GLP1RAs was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke, and death from any cause, the researchers wrote in the journal Diabetologia.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is) are a group of medications used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Previous cardiovascular outcome trials have established the safety and efficacy of GLP1RAs and DPP4is in major cardiovascular adverse events. However, the effects of these drugs on adverse limb outcomes are poorly examined. 

Considering the above, Jen-Kuang Lee, Cardiovascular Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, and colleagues aimed to determine the real-world outcomes of patients with diabetes mellitus receiving GLP1RAs as compared with those receiving DPP4is in terms of major adverse cardiovascular and limb events.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study with data collected by the Taiwan National Health Insurance database between 1 May 2011 and 31 December 2017. During this period, patients who were treated for type 2 diabetes with a GLP1RA or DDP4i were identified (n = 1,080,993). 

The primary outcome was a composite of major adverse limb events, defined as peripheral artery disease (PAD), critical limb ischemia, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or peripheral bypass for PAD, and amputation. 

A total of 948,342 people were identified, 4460 in the GLP1RA group and 13,380 in the DPP4i group after propensity-score matching. 

The researchers concluded, "some unexplored confounding factors may exist in this observation study and future large-scale randomised controlled trials are needed."

Reference:

The study titled, "Major adverse cardiovascular and limb events in patients with diabetes treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists vs DPP-4 inhibitors," is published in the journal Diabetologia.

DOI: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-021-05497-1