Uric acid-lowering effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for preventing cardiovascular events and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 May;26(5):1980-1985. doi: 10.1111/dom.15483. Epub 2024 Feb 5.

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the effect of a 1 mg/dl reduction in uric acid (UA) on cardiovascular events and mortality in patients treated with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

Research design and methods: We performed a systematic review of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases searched up to 30 June 2023 (PROSPERO, CRD42022355479) to identify large-scale SGLT2 inhibitor trials. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to pool the estimates.

Results: In total, five SGLT2 inhibitor trials (31 535 patients, 54% with heart failure) were analysed. Over a median follow-up of 2.2 years, the mean reduction in UA was -0.79 mg/dl (95% confidence interval (CI), -1.03 to -0.54). Every 1 mg/dl reduction in UA was associated with a significantly lower risk of a composite of cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure [hazard ratio, 0.64 (95% CI, 0.46-0.88)] and hospitalization for heart failure (0.68; 95% CI, 0.62-0.74), with a similar risk of mortality.

Conclusions: SGLT2 inhibitors reduced UA levels and cardiovascular events independently of heart failure status.

Keywords: heart failure; mortality; sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors; uric acid.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Diseases* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / chemically induced
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Glucose
  • Heart Failure* / complications
  • Heart Failure* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Sodium
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Uric Acid

Substances

  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors
  • Uric Acid
  • Glucose
  • Sodium