Search

In the primary care setting providers have more tools available than ever before to impact positively obesity, diabetes, and their complications, such as renal and cardiac diseases. It is important to recognise what is available for treatment taking into account diabetes heterogeneity. For those who develop type 2 diabetes (T2DM), effective treatments are available that for the first time have shown a benefit in reducing mortality and macrovascular complications, in addition to the well-established benefits of glucose control in reducing microvascular complications. Some of the newer medications for treating hyperglycaemia have also a positive impact in reducing heart failure (HF). Technological advances have also contributed to improving the quality of care in patients with diabetes. The use of technology, such as continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGM), has improved significantly glucose and glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) values, while limiting the frequency of hypoglycaemia. Other technological support derives from the use of predictive algorithms that need to be refined to help predict those subjects who are at great risk of developing the disease and/or its complications, or who may require care by other specialists. In this review we also provide recommendations for the optimal use of the new medications; sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and Glucagon-like peptide-receptor agonists 1 (GLP1RA) in the primary care setting considering the relevance of these drugs for the management of T2DM also in its early stage., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: In people with type 2 diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular or kidney disease, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors consistently reduce the risk of hospitalisations for heart failure. Less is known about their effects on hospitalisation from any cause, especially in people with type 2 diabetes without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which includes most of the global population of people with type 2 diabetes. We aimed to assess the effect of the SGLT2 inhibitor, dapagliflozin, on the risks of hospitalisations for any cause and for specific causes in people with type 2 diabetes with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease., Methods: The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial was a double-blind, multicentre, randomised, placebo-controlled study. People with type 2 diabetes and either risk factors for or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral dapagliflozin 10 mg or placebo once daily. In these post-hoc analyses, the effects of dapagliflozin on risks of first non-elective any-cause and cause-specific hospitalisation were assessed with Cox proportional hazards regression models overall and in the subset of participants without prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The risk of total (first plus subsequent) non-elective hospitalisations was assessed with Lin-Wei-Ying-Yang model. Investigator-reported System Organ Class terms were used to classify cause-specific hospitalisations. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01730534., Findings: Between April 25, 2013, and Sept 18, 2018, 17 160 people (6422 [37·4%] women, 10 738 [62·6%] men; mean age 63·9 years [SD 6·8]) were enrolled in the original trial, of whom 10186 (59·4%) had multiple risk factors for but did not have established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and 6835 (39·8%) had both no evidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and low KDIGO risk. Over a median follow-up of 4·2 years (IQR 3·9-4·4), dapagliflozin was associated with a lower risk of first non-elective hospitalisation for any cause (2779 [32·4%] of 8582 people in the dapagliflozin group vs 3036 [35·4%] of 8578 people in the placebo group; hazard ratio [HR] 0·89 [95% CI 0·85-0·94]) and total (first plus subsequent) non-elective hospitalisations for any cause (risk ratio 0·92 [95% CI 0·86-0·97]). The association between dapagliflozin use and the risk of first non-elective hospitalisation for any cause was consistent in subgroups of participants with (HR 0·92 [95% CI 0·85-0·99] and without (0·87 [0·81-0·94]) atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at baseline (p interaction=0·31). Compared with the placebo group, the dapagliflozin group had lower risk of first hospitalisations due to cardiac disorders (HR 0·91 [95% CI 0·84-1·00]), metabolism and nutrition disorders (0·73 [0·60-0·89]), renal and urinary disorders (0·61 [0·49-0·77]), and due to any other cause excluding these three causes (0·90 [0·85-0·96]). Treatment with dapagliflozin was also associated with a lower risk of hospitalisations due to musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (HR 0·81 [0·67-0·99]) and infections and infastations (HR 0·86 [0·78-0·96])., Interpretation: Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of first and total non-elective hospitalisations for any cause in people with type 2 diabetes, regardless of the presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including hospitalisations not directly attributed to cardiac, kidney, or metabolic causes. These findings might have implications on health-related quality of life for people with type 2 diabetes and on health-care costs attributable this condition., Funding: AstraZeneca., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests MS reports travel support from AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk paid to Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. SDW reports grants from AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi, and Amgen; grants and personal fees from Arena, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, and Janssen; grants and consulting fees from Merck; and personal fees from Aegerion, Allergan, AngelMed, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Clinical Research Institute, Icon Clinical, Lexicon, St Jude Medical, Xoma, Servier, AstraZeneca, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. SDW's spouse is employed by Merck. IR reports being a member of an advisory board for AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk. Consultancy fees AstraZeneca, Insuline Medical, Concenter BioPharma, and Pluristem; and Speaker's Bureau from AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi. ELG and SAM are members of the TIMI Study Group, which has received institutional research grant support through Brigham and Women's Hospital from Abbott, Amgen, Anthos Therapeutics, ARCA Biopharma, AstraZeneca, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Intarcia, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Janssen Research and Development, MedImmune, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Softcell Medical, The Medicines Company, and Zora Biosciences. AR and IY report hourly payments from AstraZeneca paid to Hadassah Medical Center and hourly payments from Novo Nordisk. TAZ reports research grants from the Austrian Science Funds and the German Research Foundation, honoraria for serving on advisory boards from Boehringer Ingelheim; personal fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries; and educational grants from Eli Lilly. MF, PAJ, IAMG-N, and AML are employees at BioPharmaceuticals Research & Development, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden. LAL reports research funding from Astra Zeneca and Lexicon; has provided continuing medical education on behalf of AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Servier; and has acted as an advisor to AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sanofi. DLB reports being a member of an advisory board for from AngioWave, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Cardax, CellProthera, Cereno Scientific, Elsevier Practice Update Cardiology, High Enroll, Janssen, Level Ex, McKinsey, Medscape Cardiology, Merck, MyoKardia, NirvaMed, Novo Nordisk, PhaseBio, PLx Pharma, Regado Biosciences, and Stasys; is a member of the Board of Directors for AngioWave (with stock options), Boston VA Research Institute, Bristol-Myers Squibb (holds stock), DRS.LINQ (with stock options), High Enroll (holds stock), Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, and TobeSoft; is the Inaugural Chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee; consultantcy fees from Broadview Ventures; is a member of Data Monitoring Committees for Acesion Pharma, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Baim Institute for Clinical Research (formerly Harvard Clinical Research Institute, for the PORTICO trial, funded by St Jude Medical, now Abbott), Boston Scientific, Cleveland Clinic, Contego Medical, Duke Clinical Research Institute, Mayo Clinic, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Novartis, Population Health Research Institute; Rutgers University; Honoraria from the American College of Cardiology, Arnold and Porter law firm, Baim Institute for Clinical Research (formerly Harvard Clinical Research Institute), Belvoir Publications, Canadian Medical and Surgical Knowledge Translation Research Group, Cowen and Company, Duke Clinical Research Institute, HMP Global, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, K2P, Level Ex, Medtelligence/ReachMD, MJH Life Sciences, Oakstone CME, Piper Sandler, Population Health Research Institute, Slack Publications, Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, WebMD, Wiley; is the Deputy Editor of Clinical Cardiology; is the Chair of the NCDR-ACTION Registry Steering Committee; is the Chair of the VA CART Research and Publications Committee; is named on the patent for sotagliflozin, which is assigned to Brigham and Women's Hospital who assigned to Lexicon (neither DLB nor Brigham and Women's Hospital receive any income from this patent); research funding from Abbott, Acesion Pharma, Afimmune, Aker Biomarine, Amarin, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Beren, Boehringer Ingelheim, Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Cardax, CellProthera, Cereno Scientific, Chiesi, CinCor, CSL Behring, Eisai, Ethicon, Faraday Pharmaceuticals, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Forest Laboratories, Fractyl, Garmin, HLS Therapeutics, Idorsia, Ironwood, Ischemix, Janssen, Javelin, Lexicon, Lilly, Medtronic, Merck, Moderna, MyoKardia, NirvaMed, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Owkin, Pfizer, PhaseBio, PLx Pharma, Recardio, Regeneron, Reid Hoffman Foundation, Roche, Sanofi, Stasys, Synaptic, The Medicines Company, Youngene, and 89Bio; royalties from Elsevier; is a site coinvestigator for Abbott, Biotronik, Boston Scientific, CSI, Endotronix, St Jude Medical (now Abbott), Philips, SpectraWAVE, Svelte, Vascular Solutions; is a trustee of the American College of Cardiology; and has done unfunded research for FlowCo and Takeda. DKM reports research support for Clinical Trials Leadership from Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi, Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Esperion, Lilly USA, Lexicon, and CSL Behring; and honoraria for consultancy from Lilly USA, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Applied Therapeutics, Metavant, Sanofi, Altimmune and Intercept Pharma, CSL Behring, Bayer, and GlaxoSmithKline. JPHW reports consultancy and speaking engagements contracted via the University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK (no personal payment) from Alnylam, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Eli Lilly, Napp, Novo Nordisk, Mundipharma, Pfizer, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Saniona, and Ysopia; grants paid to the University of Liverpool from AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk; and honoraria and lecture fees (personal) from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck, Napp, Novo Nordisk, Mundipharma, Sanofi, and Takeda. AC reports grants and personal fees from AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Pfizer, and Medial Early-Sign. MSS reports grants and consulting fees from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Intarcia, Janssen Research & Development, Medicines Company, MedImmune, Merck, and Novartis; consulting fees from Anthos Therapeutics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CVS Caremark, DalCor, Dyrnamix, Esperion, IFM Therapeutics, and Ionis; and grants from Bayer, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Poxel, Quark Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda; MSS is a member of the TIMI Study Group, which has also received institutional research grant support through Brigham and Women's Hospital from Abbott, Aralez, Roche, and Zora Biosciences. OM reports being a member of an advisory board for Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bayer, AstraZeneca; research grant support paid to Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital from Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca; and Speaker's Bureau from AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and Boehringer Ingelheim., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Current guidelines recommend prescribing SGLT2 inhibitors to patients with type 2 diabetes and established or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), irrespective of HbA1c levels. We studied the association of HbA1c with cardiovascular and renal outcomes and whether the benefit of dapagliflozin varies by baseline HbA1c., Research Design and Methods: In the Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events trial (DECLARE-TIMI 58), 17,160 patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to dapagliflozin or placebo for a median follow-up of 4.2 years. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes by baseline HbA1c in the overall population and with dapagliflozin versus placebo in HbA1c subgroups were studied by Cox regression models., Results: In the overall population, higher baseline HbA1c was associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF); major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke; and cardiorenal outcomes (adjusted hazard ratios 1.12 [95% CI 1.06-1.19], 1.08 [1.04-1.13], and 1.17 [1.11-1.24] per 1% higher level, respectively). Elevated HbA1c was associated with a greater increased risk for MACE and cardiorenal outcomes in patients with multiple risk factors (MRF) than in established ASCVD (P-interaction = 0.0064 and 0.0093, respectively). Compared with placebo, dapagliflozin decreased the risk of cardiovascular death/HHF, HHF, and cardiorenal outcomes, with no heterogeneity by baseline HbA1c (P-interaction > 0.05)., Conclusions: Higher HbA1c levels were associated with greater cardiovascular and renal risk, particularly in the MRF population, yet the benefits of dapagliflozin were observed in all subgroups irrespective of baseline HbA1c, including patients with HbA1c <7%., (© 2022 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Importance: Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, such as dapagliflozin, promote renal glucose excretion and reduce cardiovascular (CV) deaths and hospitalizations for heart failure (HHF) among patients with type 2 diabetes. The relative CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline kidney function and albuminuria status are unknown., Objective: To assess the CV efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin according to baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR)., Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary analysis of the randomized clinical trial Dapagliflozin Effect on Cardiovascular Events-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 58 compared dapagliflozin vs placebo in 17 160 patients with type 2 diabetes and a baseline creatinine clearance of 60 mL/min or higher. Patients were categorized according to prespecified subgroups of baseline eGFR (<60 vs ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2), urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR; <30 vs ≥30 mg/g), and of chronic kidney disease (CKD) markers using these subgroups (0, 1, or 2). The study was conducted from May 2013 to September 2018., Interventions: Dapagliflozin vs placebo., Main Outcomes and Measures: The dual primary end points were major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, and CV death) and the composite of CV death or HHF., Results: At baseline, 1265 patients (7.4%) had an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, and 5199 patients (30.9%) had albuminuria. Among patients having data for both eGFR and UACR, 10 958 patients (65.1%) had an eGFR equal to or higher than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and an UACR below 30 mg/g (mean [SD] age, 63.7 [6.7] years; 40.1% women), 5336 patients (31.7%) had either an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 or albuminuria (mean [SD] age, 64.1 [7.1] years; 32.6% women), and 548 patients (3.3%) had both (mean [SD] age, 66.8 [6.9] years; 30.5% women). In the placebo group, patients with more CKD markers had higher event rates at 4 years as assessed using the Kaplan-Meier approach for the composite of CV death or HHF (3.9% for 0 markers, 8.3% for 1 marker, and 17.4% for 2 markers) and major adverse cardiovascular events (7.5% for 0 markers, 11.6% for 1 marker, and 18.9% for 2 markers). Estimates for relative risk reductions for the composite of CV death or HHF and for major adverse cardiovascular events were generally consistent across subgroups (both P > .24 for interaction), although greater absolute risk reductions were observed with more markers of CKD. The absolute risk difference for the composite of CV death or HHF was greater for patients with more markers of CKD (0 markers, -0.5%; 1 marker, -1.0%; and 2 markers, -8.3%; P = .02 for interaction). The numbers of amputations, cases of diabetic ketoacidosis, fractures, and major hypoglycemic events were balanced or numerically lower with dapagliflozin compared with placebo for patients with an eGFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and an UACR of 30 mg/g or higher., Conclusions and Relevance: The effect of dapagliflozin on the relative risk for CV events was consistent across eGFR and UACR groups, with the greatest absolute benefit for the composite of CV death or HHF observed among patients with both reduced eGFR and albuminuria., Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01730534.

Objective: International guidelines propose prescribing sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) as secondary prevention in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with multiple risk factors (MRF) for ASCVD. The current analyses expand on the cardiovascular renal and metabolic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in MRF patients., Research Design and Methods: In DECLARE-TIMI 58, 17,160 patients with T2D and MRF (59.4%) or established ASCVD (40.6%) were randomized to dapagliflozin versus placebo; patients were followed for a median of 4.2 years. The cardiovascular and renal outcomes in the MRF cohort were studied across clinically relevant subgroups for treatment effect and subgroup-based treatment interaction., Results: Among patients with MRF, the reduction with dapagliflozin in risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (CVD/HHF) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.67-1.04) and the renal-specific outcome (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37-0.69) did not differ from that for patients with ASCVD ( P interaction 0.99 and 0.72, respectively). The effect on CVD/HHF was entirely driven by a reduction in HHF (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46-0.88). The benefits of dapagliflozin on HHF and on the renal-specific outcome, among the subset with MRF, were directionally consistent across clinically relevant subgroups. At 48 months, HbA 1c , weight, systolic blood pressure, and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were lower with dapagliflozin versus placebo and estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher ( P < 0.001)., Conclusions: In patients with T2D and MRF, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of HHF and adverse renal outcomes regardless of baseline characteristics. These analyses support the benefit of dapagliflozin for important outcomes in a broad primary prevention population., (© 2021 by the American Diabetes Association.)

Aim: To assess the associations between baseline glucose-lowering agents (GLAs) and cardiorenal outcomes with dapagliflozin versus placebo in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 study., Materials and Methods: DECLARE-TIMI 58 assessed the cardiorenal outcomes of dapagliflozin versus placebo in patients with type 2 diabetes. This post hoc analysis elaborates the efficacy and safety outcomes by baseline GLA for treatment effect and GLA-based treatment interaction., Results: At baseline, 14 068 patients (82.0%) used metformin, 7322 (42.7%) sulphonylureas, 2888 (16.8%) dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, 750 (4.4%) glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and 7013 (40.9%) insulin. Dapagliflozin reduced the composite of cardiovascular death (CVD) and hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) versus placebo regardless of baseline GLA, with greater benefit in the small group of patients with baseline use of GLP-1 RAs (HR [95% CI] 0.37 [0.18, 0.78] vs. 0.86 [0.75, 0.98] in GLP-1 RA users vs. non-users, P interaction = .03). The overall HR for major adverse cardiovascular events (CVD, myocardial infarction or ischaemic stroke) was 0.93 (95% CI 0.84, 1.03) with dapagliflozin versus placebo, with no interaction by baseline GLA (P interaction > .05). The renal-specific outcome was reduced with dapagliflozin versus placebo in the overall cohort (HR [95%CI] 0.53[0.43-0.66]), with no interaction by baseline GLA (P interaction > .05). All of these outcomes were similar in those with versus those without baseline metformin use., Conclusions: The effects of dapagliflozin on cardiorenal outcomes were generally consistent regardless of baseline GLA, with consistent benefits regardless of baseline metformin use. The potential clinical benefit of combining sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors with GLP-1 RAs, given some evidence of cardiovascular risk reduction with both classes, should be explored further., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have emerged as 2 new classes of antihyperglycemic agents that also reduce cardiovascular risk. The relative benefits in patients with and without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease for different outcomes with these classes of drugs remain undefined., Methods: We performed a systematic review and trial-level meta-analysis of GLP1-RA and SGLT2i cardiovascular outcomes trials using the PubMed and EMBASE databases (Excerpta Medica Database). The primary outcomes were the composite of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death (MACE); hospitalization for heart failure; and progression of kidney disease., Results: In total, data from 8 trials and 77 242 patients, 42 920 (55.6%) in GLP1-RA trials, and 34 322 (44.4%) in SGLT2i trials, were included. Both drug classes reduced MACE in a similar magnitude with GLP1-RA reducing the risk by 12% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94; P<0.001) and SGLT2i by 11% (HR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.83-0.96; P=0.001). For both drug classes, this treatment effect was restricted to a 14% reduction in those with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.80-0.93; P=0.002), whereas no effect was seen in patients without established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.87-1.19; P=0.81; P interaction, 0.028). SGLT2i reduced hospitalization for heart failure by 31% (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.61-0.79; P<0.001), whereas GLP1-RA did not have a significant effect (HR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.83-1.04; P=0.20). Both GLP1-RA (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75-0.89; P<0.001) and SGLT2i (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.67; P<0.001) reduced the risk of progression of kidney disease including macroalbuminuria, but only SGLT2i reduced the risk of worsening estimated glomerular filtration rate, end-stage kidney disease, or renal death (HR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.48-0.64; P<0.001)., Conclusions: In trials reported to date, GLP1-RA and SGLT2i reduce atherosclerotic MACE to a similar degree in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, whereas SGLT2i have a more marked effect on preventing hospitalization for heart failure and progression of kidney disease. Their distinct clinical benefit profiles should be considered in the decision-making process when treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The cardiovascular safety profile of dapagliflozin, a selective inhibitor of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 that promotes glucosuria in patients with type 2 diabetes, is undefined., Methods: We randomly assigned patients with type 2 diabetes who had or were at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to receive either dapagliflozin or placebo. The primary safety outcome was a composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), defined as cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. The primary efficacy outcomes were MACE and a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure. Secondary efficacy outcomes were a renal composite (≥40% decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate to <60 ml per minute per 1.73 m 2 of body-surface area, new end-stage renal disease, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes) and death from any cause., Results: We evaluated 17,160 patients, including 10,186 without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, who were followed for a median of 4.2 years. In the primary safety outcome analysis, dapagliflozin met the prespecified criterion for noninferiority to placebo with respect to MACE (upper boundary of the 95% confidence interval [CI], <1.3; P<0.001 for noninferiority). In the two primary efficacy analyses, dapagliflozin did not result in a lower rate of MACE (8.8% in the dapagliflozin group and 9.4% in the placebo group; hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.84 to 1.03; P=0.17) but did result in a lower rate of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (4.9% vs. 5.8%; hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P=0.005), which reflected a lower rate of hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.88); there was no between-group difference in cardiovascular death (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.17). A renal event occurred in 4.3% in the dapagliflozin group and in 5.6% in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.87), and death from any cause occurred in 6.2% and 6.6%, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.04). Diabetic ketoacidosis was more common with dapagliflozin than with placebo (0.3% vs. 0.1%, P=0.02), as was the rate of genital infections that led to discontinuation of the regimen or that were considered to be serious adverse events (0.9% vs. 0.1%, P<0.001)., Conclusions: In patients with type 2 diabetes who had or were at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, treatment with dapagliflozin did not result in a higher or lower rate of MACE than placebo but did result in a lower rate of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure, a finding that reflects a lower rate of hospitalization for heart failure. (Funded by AstraZeneca; DECLARE-TIMI 58 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01730534 .).

Background: The magnitude of effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on specific cardiovascular and renal outcomes and whether heterogeneity is based on key baseline characteristics remains undefined., Methods: We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised, placebo-controlled, cardiovascular outcome trials of SGLT2i in patients with type 2 diabetes. We searched PubMed and Embase for trials published up to Sept 24, 2018. Data search and extraction were completed with a standardised data form and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Efficacy outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death), the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure, and progression of renal disease. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs were pooled across trials, and efficacy outcomes were stratified by baseline presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and degree of renal function., Findings: We included data from three identified trials and 34 322 patients (60·2% with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease), with 3342 major adverse cardiovascular events, 2028 cardiovascular deaths or hospitalisation sfor heart failure events, and 766 renal composite outcomes. SGLT2i reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 11% (HR 0·89 [95% CI 0·83-0·96], p=0·0014), with benefit only seen in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (0·86 [0·80-0·93]) and not in those without (1·00 [0·87-1·16], p for interaction=0·0501). SGLT2i reduced the risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalisation for heart failure by 23% (0·77 [0·71-0·84], p<0·0001), with a similar benefit in patients with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and with and without a history of heart failure. SGLT2i reduced the risk of progression of renal disease by 45% (0·55 [0·48-0·64], p<0·0001), with a similar benefit in those with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The magnitude of benefit of SGLT2i varied with baseline renal function, with greater reductions in hospitalisations for heart failure (p for interaction=0·0073) and lesser reductions in progression of renal disease (p for interaction=0·0258) in patients with more severe kidney disease at baseline., Interpretation: SGLT2i have moderate benefits on atherosclerotic major adverse cardiovascular events that seem confined to patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, they have robust benefits on reducing hospitalisation for heart failure and progression of renal disease regardless of existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or a history of heart failure., Funding: None., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Optimal blood pressure for prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains uncertain and there is concern for increased risk with low diastolic blood pressure (DBP). This study analysed the association between blood pressure and CV outcomes in high-risk patients with T2DM., Methods and Results: Patients with T2DM and elevated CV risk were enrolled in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in patients with diabetes mellitus-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 trial. Cardiovascular outcomes were compared in the biomarker subgroup (n = 12 175) after stratification by baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and DBP. Adjusted risk was calculated by blood pressure stratum using clinical covariates plus N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitivity troponin-T (hsTnT). Trends were tested using linear and quadratic models. Adjusted risk of the composite endpoint of CV death, myocardial infarction (MI), or ischaemic stroke showed U-shaped relationships with baseline SBP and DBP (Pquadratic ≤ 0.01) with nadirs at SBP 130-140 or DBP 80-90 mmHg. Diastolic blood pressure <60 mmHg was associated with increased risk of MI (adjusted hazard ratio 2.30; 95% confidence interval 1.50-3.53) relative to DBP 80-90 mmHg. Adjusted odds of hsTnT concentration ≥14 ng/L showed U-shaped relationships with SBP and DBP (Pquadratic ≤ 0.01). The relationships between low DBP, elevated hsTnT, and increased MI remained after exclusion of patients with prior heart failure or NT-proBNP >median, suggesting that the relationship was not due to confounding from diagnosed or undiagnosed heart failure., Conclusions: In patients with diabetes and elevated CV risk, even after extensive adjustment for underlying disease burden, there was a persistent association for low DBP with subclinical myocardial injury and risk of MI.

Aim: To describe the baseline characteristics of participants randomized in the Dapagliflozin Effect on CardiovascuLAR Events (DECLARE-TIMI 58) trial, the pivotal study conducted to assess cardiovascular (CV) outcomes with dapagliflozin., Methods: The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial will analyse 17 160 patients with type 2 diabetes randomized to treatment with dapagliflozin (10 mg/d) or matching placebo. We analysed their baseline characteristics., Results: The participants' mean ± SD age was 63.8 ± 6.8 years, 62.6% were male, and their mean ± SD diabetes duration was 11.8 ± 7.8 years, glycated haemoglobin 8.3% ± 1.2% (67 mmol/mol ± 9.7 mmol/mol) and body mass index 32.1 ± 6.0 kg/m 2 . Randomization included 6971 (40.6%) patients with atherosclerotic CV disease (CVD), and 10 189 (59.4%) patients with multiple risk factors (MRF) for CVD (defined as men age ≥ 55 years or women ≥60 years, with at least one of dyslipidaemia, hypertension or smoking). Patients with CVD compared with patients with MRF were younger (62.5 ± 8.1 vs 64.7 ± 5.6 years), more frequently male (72.1% vs 56.1%), less often used metformin (74.6% vs 81.2%), more often used insulin (44.2% vs 36.4%), and more frequently used statins, aspirin, clopidogrel and β-blockers (82.2%, 71.1%, 24.7% and 66.6% vs 63.7%, 39.1%, 1.5% and 32.3%, respectively)., Conclusion: The DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial is expected to provide conclusive data on the effect of treatment with dapagliflozin in addition to standard of care, on CV outcomes in a broad patient population with type 2 diabetes and CVD or MRF for CVD., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: The effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes according to different hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels has not been described. Thus, we analyzed the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial to compare the cardiovascular effects of saxagliptin vs placebo according to baseline HbA1c., Methods: A total of 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 6.5%-12.0% in the 6 months before randomization) and either a history of established cardiovascular disease or multiple risk factors for atherosclerosis were randomized to saxagliptin or placebo in addition to usual care. Patients were followed for a median of 2.1 years. The primary endpoint was cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke., Results: Patients were stratified by HbA1c at randomization into the following prespecified groups: <7%, 7%-<8%, 8%-<9%, and ≥9%. Baseline HbA1c ≥7% was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [HR(adj)] 1.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-1.58) but not hospitalization for heart failure (HR(adj) 1.09; 95% CI, 0.88-1.36). Saxagliptin neither increased nor decreased the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke in patients with HbA1c <7% (HR 1.01; 95% CI, 0.78-1.31), 7%-<8% (HR 0.98; 95% CI, 0.80-1.20), 8%-<9% (HR 1.09; 95% CI, 0.85-1.39), ≥9% (HR 0.95; 95% CI, 0.77-1.18) (P-interaction = .89)., Conclusions: Baseline HbA1c is associated with increased risk of macrovascular events but not hospitalization for heart failure. There was no heterogeneity in the effect of saxagliptin on cardiovascular events by baseline HbA1c, with cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke neither increased nor decreased across the spectrum of baseline HbA1c values., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in patients with diabetes. Over the past 20 years multiple CV outcome studies have been conducted assessing the cardiovascular benefits of tight glycemic control or of particular glucose lowering agents. Improved glycemic control per-se failed to significantly reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in the short term, and it is only after >15 years that a reduction in adverse CV outcomes with tight glycemic control was perceived. Moreover tight glycemic control and increased attendant hypoglycemia led to increased mortality observed in the ACCORD trial. These data highlighted the importance of setting individualized glycemic targets and assessing the CV safety of the individual glucose lowering agents. Three DPP-4 inhibitors have presented CV outcome data to date demonstrating overall CV safety yet the question of increased hospitalization for heart failure with saxagliptin remains unexplained. Lixisenatide was the first GLP-1 receptor agonist to publish CV outcome data which demonstrated overall safety. The SGLT-2 inhibitor empagliflozin demonstrated CV superiority and a reduction in all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure vs. placebo via mechanisms which remain to be fully elucidated. The outcome studies, though large and costly, have had a considerable effect on diabetes guidelines, these now emphasizing the importance of individualization of care. The outcome studies will presumably influence the new guidelines and dictate better tailoring of the drug regimen to the individual patient, matching patient comorbidities to the accumulating data regarding the safety and efficacy of each drug and class.

Aim: To investigate whether the cardiovascular and renal benefits observed with dapagliflozin in the DECLARE‐TIMI 58 trial are also observed in patients with short and long‐standing diabetes. Materials and Methods: This post hoc analysis studied the dual primary efficacy endpoints, a composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (CVD/HHF) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; CVD, myocardial infarction [MI], ischaemic stroke) by diabetes duration. Results: Of the 17 160 patients, 3836 had diabetes duration of ≤5 years, 4731 >5‐10 years, 3952 >10‐15 years, 2433 >15‐20 years and 2206 >20 years. Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of CVD/HHF by a similar amount across diabetes duration subgroups, ranging from HR 0.79 (0.58‐1.06) in patients with diabetes duration of ≤5 years to 0.75 (0.55‐1.03) in those patients with diabetes duration of >20 years (interaction trend P‐value 0.76). Hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE ranged from 1.08 (0.87‐1.35) in patients with diabetes duration of ≤5 years to 0.67 (0.52‐0.86) in those patients with diabetes duration of >20 years (interaction trend P‐value 0.004). This was driven by greater reductions in the risk of MI and ischaemic stroke with dapagliflozin in patients with long‐standing diabetes (interaction trend P‐values 0.019 and 0.015, respectively). The duration‐based MACE heterogeneity was apparent in those with or without a history of prior MI and in those with multiple risk factors. The renal‐specific outcome was reduced with dapagliflozin with HRs ranging from 0.79 (0.47‐1.34) in patients with diabetes duration of ≤5 years to 0.42 (0.25‐0.72) in those patients with diabetes duration of >20 years (interaction trend P‐value 0.084). Conclusions: Dapagliflozin reduced the risk of CVD/HHF consistently, regardless of diabetes duration, whereas the treatment effect for MACE differed by duration subgroups, with significant reductions with dapagliflozin in patients with long‐standing diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the relevance of therapeutic targets of lowering body fat, blood pressure, lipids and glucose decreases cardiovascular events in healthy older people. The concept of obesity and health weight in older people is discussed. The health consequences of obesity in older people are tackled. Treatment issues to be considered in older diabetic patients are presented, such as the use of metformin.