Three new categories of hypoglycaemic agents and various cardiovascular diseases: A meta-analysis

J Clin Pharm Ther. 2022 May;47(5):636-642. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13588. Epub 2021 Dec 23.

Abstract

What is known and objective: New hypoglycaemic agents consist of dipeptidyl peptidase four inhibitors (DPP4is), glucagon-like peptide one receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) and sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitors (SGLT2is). We aimed to define the association between each category of these new hypoglycaemic drugs and various cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: Large randomized trials comparing DPP4is, GLP1RAs or SGLT2is with placebo were included. Outcomes of interest were 95 kinds of cardiovascular diseases. Meta-analysis was conducted to generate pooled risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results and discussion: Twenty-one large randomized trials were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, SGLT2is were associated with the lower risks of hypertension (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.93), atrial fibrillation (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.67-0.91), bradycardia (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40-0.89) and heart failure (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.68-0.80); GLP1RAs were associated with the lower risk of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.97) and with the higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (RR 2.12, 95% CI 1.32-3.4), while DPP4is were associated with the lower risk of peripheral ischaemia (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.37-0.89).

What is new and conclusions: Our meta-analysis revealed that SGLT2is were associated with the lower risks of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, bradycardia and heart failure; GLP1RAs were associated with the lower risk of peripheral arterial occlusive disease and with the higher risk of deep vein thrombosis, while DPP4is were associated with the lower risk of peripheral ischaemia. These findings propose that each category of these new hypoglycaemic agents should be avoided or preferred in patients at high risks of specific cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: DPP4is; GLP1RAs; SGLT2is; atrial fibrillation; cardiovascular diseases; deep vein thrombosis; hypertension.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases* / complications
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Atrial Fibrillation* / drug therapy
  • Bradycardia / complications
  • Bradycardia / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypertension* / drug therapy
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors*
  • Venous Thrombosis* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors