A new study published in Journal of the Association of Physicians of India analyzed the effect of different sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on glycemic control and body weight of Indian patients with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

In this perspective, interventional, nonrandomized study of 480 patients above 30 years of age with uncontrolled T2DM with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8.5% was included. All participants had been on triple-drug therapy and were currently taking either Canagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, or Remogliflozin. Participants were evaluated at baseline, 12, and 24 weeks.

The results depicted significant reductions in HbA1c, fasting blood sugar (FBS), post-prandial blood sugar (PPBS), body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at weeks 12 and 24 in patients receiving either of the SGLT2 inhibitors.

Insignificant differences in the mean values of glycemic parameters and body weight were recorded, which were comparable across treatment groups at 12 and 24 weeks. Overall, ten patients reported urinary tract infection (UTI) and five contracted genital mycotic infection. All genital mycoses occurred in females; in the remaining, the drugs were well-tolerated.

It was inferred that SGLT2 inhibitors can efficiently reduce HbA1c, body weight, FBS, PPBS, SBP, and DBP. Hence, this class of drugs should be considered an early intervention for patients with uncontrolled T2DM despite controlled triple-drug therapy. SGLT2 inhibitors are a good option as an add-on drug with antidiabetic agents for Indian T2DM patients. 

Source: Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2022 Jun;70(6):11-12. doi: 10.5005/japi-11001-0001.