Sotagliflozin reduces CVD risk in those with diabetes and kidney disease: Study

Researchers conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter study to investigate the effects of sotagliflozin. In the SCORED trial, more than 10,000 people (average age 69, 45% women, 17% non-white) with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease were randomized to receive either sotagliflozin or placebo.

Although the trial ended earlier than planned due to loss of funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, results after an average follow up period of 16 months indicate numerous benefits for patients receiving sotagliflozin:

• There was a significant 26% decrease in the total number of cardiovascular deaths, hospitalizations for heart failure or urgent visits for heart failure.
• A significant reduction in the total number of heart attacks and strokes was achieved.
• There was a significant reduction in blood glucose levels in patients with moderately to severely reduced kidney function.

Bhatt added, "Sotagliflozin is the first SGLT2 inhibitor to show a beneficial effect on stroke among patients with diabetes, suggesting that it may also affect atherosclerosis, or plaque build-up in the coronary and brain arteries. SCORED is also the first trial to show the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors across the full range of albuminuria, or leakage of protein in the urine, which is common in people with Type 2 diabetes.

"This is a major advance for patients with Type 2 diabetes and advanced kidney disease, and these results clearly demonstrate that SGLT2 inhibitors should become part of the standard of care," he said.