Fournier's Gangrene under Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Therapy in Gynecological Patients

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 21;19(10):6261. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19106261.

Abstract

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a serious pathology of the soft tissues and fascia of the perineum and genital region with a high morbidity and mortality rate. In recent years, the SGLT-2 inhibitor oral antidiabetic has been related to this entity. According to the new warnings from the main drug agencies, a compilation of cases has been initiated to establish or deny a possible causal relationship. Most of these cases have been reported in men. However, it is important not to underestimate this entity in the gynecological field, since it is extremely serious and requires intense and rapid aggressive treatment based on surgery and empiric antibiotherapy. Later, some cares are needed to involve surgical reconstruction of the defects introduced by debridement. As a result of the low incidence of FG, clinical trials' data may be insufficient to robustly assess this issue because of the limited numbers of participants. Real-world evidence may help to clarify the association between SGLT2i and FG. The aim of this review is to describe and compare the reported cases of GF in diabetic women who received SGLT2 inhibitors as antiglycemic agents.

Keywords: SGLT-2 inhibitor; diabetes; emphysema; gangrene; gas; genital lump; surgery.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Fournier Gangrene* / epidemiology
  • Fournier Gangrene* / pathology
  • Fournier Gangrene* / surgery
  • Glucose
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sodium
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
  • Sodium
  • Glucose

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.