Effectiveness and safety of sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in Thai adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a real-world study

Abstract

Background Sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are widely used to improve both glycemic control and cardio-renal outcomes. We aim to evaluate the real-life clinical effectiveness, safety and outcomes of SGLT2is in Thai adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This was a retrospective study involving adults with T2DM who were treated with SGLT2is for ≥3 months. Results Among 1159 participants (women 52.6%; age: 61.1 ± 10.9 years; body mass index: 28.7 ± 5.2 kg/m2), 65.1%, 34.3% and 0.6% received dapagliflozin, empagliflozin and canagliflozin, respectively. Median SGLT2i treatment duration was 15 (IQR, 8–23) months. Of the patients, 16.5%, 6.4%, 4.9% and 1.6% had pre-existing coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure and peripheral arterial disease, respectively. Mean HbA1c decreased by 0.7% (95% CI, −1.0 to −0.4) from a baseline of 8.3 ± 1.5%. At 24 months, body weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly from the baseline average of 2.5 kg, 3.5 mmHg and 2.4 mmHg, respectively. The median decline in eGFR was −1.3 ml/min/1.73 m2/year. The incidences of pollakiuria, genital tract infection, urinary tract infection and hypoglycemia were 7.2%, 2.8%, 2.2% and 0.9%, respectively. No participants developed diabetic ketoacidosis during the observation period. Conclusions SGLT2is improved cardiometabolic parameters in Thai adults, clinically confirming findings in controlled trials.