Cardiovascular outcomes with GLP-1 receptor agonists vs. SGLT-2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes

Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Pharmacother. 2022 Sep 3;8(6):549-556. doi: 10.1093/ehjcvp/pvab053.

Abstract

Aims: We examined cardiovascular outcomes associated with initiation of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) vs. sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT-2i) treatment in a real-world setting among patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods and results: This Danish nationwide registry-based cohort study included patients with type 2 diabetes with a first-ever prescription of either GLP-1RA or SGLT-2i from 2013 through 2015 with follow-up until end of 2018. All analyses were standardized with respect to age, sex, diabetes duration, comorbidity, and comedication. The main outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Furthermore, the components of the composite outcome and hospitalization for heart failure were evaluated. Standardized average 3-year risks of outcomes and differences thereof were estimated using doubly robust estimation combining cause-specific Cox regression with propensity score regression. We identified 8913 new users of GLP-1RA and 5275 new users of SGLT-2i. The standardized 3-year risk associated with initiating GLP-1RA and SGLT-2i, respectively, was as follows: composite cardiovascular outcome, 5.6% [95% confidence interval (CI): 5.2-6.1] vs. 5.6% (95% CI: 4.8-6.3); cardiovascular mortality, 1.6% (95% CI: 1.3-1.9) vs. 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1-1.8); hospitalization for heart failure, 1.7% (95% CI: 1.5-2.0) vs. 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2-2.5); myocardial infarction, 2.1% (95% CI: 1.8-2.4) vs. 2.1% (95% CI: 1.5-2.6); and stroke, 2.5% (95% CI: 2.2-2.9) vs. 2.6% (95% CI: 2.2-3.1).

Conclusion: In this nationwide study of patients with type 2 diabetes, initiating GLP-1RA vs. SGLT-2i was not found to be associated with significant differences in cardiovascular risk.

Keywords: Cardiovascular mortality; GLP-1RA; Hospitalization for heart failure; Major adverse cardiovascular events; Myocardial infarction; SGLT-2i; Stroke; Type 2 diabetes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cohort Studies
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / diagnosis
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / agonists
  • Heart Failure* / diagnosis
  • Heart Failure* / drug therapy
  • Heart Failure* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / adverse effects
  • Myocardial Infarction* / drug therapy
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors* / adverse effects
  • Stroke* / diagnosis
  • Stroke* / epidemiology
  • Stroke* / prevention & control

Substances

  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors