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The incidence of diabetes is continuously increasing worldwide, resulting in a considerable socioeconomic burden. Glycemic control using traditional diabetes medications prevents microvascular complications; however, there is no objective evidence that it prevents macrovascular complications. In the 21st century, concerns have arisen that strict glycemic control and the diabetes drug rosiglitazone might increase mortality. This led the United States Food and Drug Administration to establish guidelines that require that cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOTs) with 3-point major adverse cardiovascular events (3-P MACE) as the primary endpoints be performed for new diabetes drugs. Since then, 20 CVOTs have been reported. Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors do not increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, saxagliptin increases the risk of heart failure. Sodium-glucose cotransporter inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagonlike peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) not only have proven cardiovascular safety but also have shown results beyond expectations by reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, SGLT2is have been reported to markedly prevent heart failure and kidney disease. The reduction in 3-P MACE by GLP-1RAs was observed only with long-acting agents; long-acting GLP-1RAs also markedly reduced renal endpoints. However, no preventive effect against heart failure was observed with GLP-1RAs. The preventive effects of both drug types against cardiovascular and kidney diseases appear to be independent of glycemic control. In conclusion, based on CVOT results, it is necessary to actively prescribe SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs to prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, regardless of glycemic control.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become increasingly prescribed because of their proven protective effects on the heart and kidneys, and carbohydrate-restricted diets are popular therapeutic approaches for patients with obesity and diabetes. A 28-year-old obese woman with recently diagnosed diabetes developed euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) while on dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and following a carbohydrate-restricted diet. She presented with nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. Hospital tests showed a blood glucose of 172 mg/dL, metabolic acidosis, and increased ketone levels, confirming euglycemic DKA. Treatment involved discontinuing dapagliflozin and administering fluids, glucose, and insulin. She recovered and was discharged on the fourth day. This is considered a case of euglycemic DKA induced by SGLT2 inhibitors and triggered by a carbohydrate-restricted diet. This case highlights the importance of physicians in confirming the symptoms and laboratory results of DKA, even in patients with normal blood glucose levels taking SGLT2 inhibitors and following carbohydrate-restricted diets. It is also crucial to advise patients to maintain an adequate carbohydrate intake.

Background We evaluated the achievement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) according to up-to-date Korean Diabetes Association (KDA), European Society of Cardiology (ESC)/European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS), and American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines. Methods This retrospective cohort study collected electronic medical record data from patients with T2DM (≥20 years) managed by endocrinologists from 15 hospitals in Korea (January to December 2019). Patients were categorized according to guidelines to assess LDL-C target achievement. KDA (2019): Very High-I (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease [ASCVD])