Comparative efficacy of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus:A real-world experience

BACKGROUND Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors(SGLT-2i)are a class of drugs with modest antidiabetic efficacy,weight loss effect,and cardiovascular benefits as proven by multiple randomised controlled trials(RCTs).However,real-world data on the comparative efficacy and safety of individual SGLT-2i medications is sparse.AIM To study the comparative efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i using real-world clinical data.METHODS We evaluated the comparative efficacy data of 3 SGLT-2i drugs(dapagliflozin,canagliflozin,and empagliflozin)used for treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Data on the reduction of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),body weight,blood pressure(BP),urine albumin creatinine ratio(ACR),and adverse effects were recorded retrospectively.RESULTS Data from 467 patients with a median age of 64(14.8)years,294(62.96%)males and 375(80.5%)Caucasians were analysed.Median diabetes duration was 16.0(9.0)years,and the duration of SGLT-2i use was 3.6(2.1)years.SGLT-2i molecules used were dapagliflozin 10 mg(n=227;48.6%),canagliflozin 300 mg(n=160;34.3%),and empagliflozin 25 mg(n=80;17.1).Baseline median(interquartile range)HbA1c in mmol/mol were:dapagliflozin-78.0(25.3),canagliflozin-80.0(25.5),and empagliflozin-75.0(23.5)respectively.The respective median HbA1c reduction at 12 months and the latest review(just prior to the study)were:66.5(22.8)&69.0(24.0),67.0(16.3)&66.0(28.0),and 67.0(22.5)&66.5(25.8)respectively(P<0.001 for all comparisons from baseline).Significant improvements in body weight(in kilograms)from baseline to study end were noticed with dapagliflozin-101(29.5)to 92.2(25.6),and canagliflozin 100(28.3)to 95.3(27.5)only.Significant reductions in median systolic and diastolic BP,from 144(21)mmHg to 139(23)mmHg;(P=0.015),and from 82(16)mmHg to 78(19)mmHg;(P<0.001)respectively were also observed.A significant reduction of microalbuminuria was observed with canagliflozin only[ACR 14.6(42.6)at baseline to 8.9(23.7)at the study end;P=0.043].Adverse effects of SGLT-2i were as follows:genital thrush and urinary infection-20(8.8%)&17(7.5%)with dapagliflozin;9(5.6%)&5(3.13%)with canagliflozin;and 4(5%)&4(5%)with empagliflozin.Diabetic ketoacidosis was observed in 4(1.8%)with dapagliflozin and 1(0.63%)with canagliflozin.CONCLUSION Treatment of patients with SGLT-2i is associated with statistically significant reductions in HbA1c,body weight,and better than those reported in RCTs,with low side effect profiles.A review of large-scale real-world data is needed to inform better clinical practice decision making.

Semaglutide for the management of diabesity:The real-world experience

BACKGROUND Diabesity(diabetes as a consequence of obesity)has emerged as a huge healthcare challenge across the globe due to the obesity pandemic.Judicious use of antidiabetic medications including semaglutide is important for optimal management of diabesity as proven by multiple randomized controlled trials.However,more real-world data is needed to further improve the clinical practice.AIM To study the real-world benefits and side effects of using semaglutide to manage patients with diabesity.METHODS We evaluated the efficacy and safety of semaglutide use in managing patients with diabesity in a large academic hospital in the United States.Several parameters were analyzed including demographic information,the data on improvement of glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),body weight reduction and insulin dose adjustments at 6 and 12 months,as well as at the latest follow up period.The data was obtained from the electronic patient records between January 2019 to May 2023.RESULTS 106 patients(56 males)with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),mean age 60.8±11.2 years,mean durations of T2DM 12.4±7.2 years and mean semaglutide treatment for 2.6±1.1 years were included.Semaglutide treatment was associated with significant improvement in diabesity outcomes such as mean weight reductions from baseline 110.4±24.6 kg to 99.9±24.9 kg at 12 months and 96.8±22.9 kg at latest follow up and HbA1c improvement from baseline of 82±21 mmol/mol to 67±20 at 12 months and 71±23 mmol/mol at the latest follow up.An insulin dose reduction from mean baseline of 95±74 units to 76.5±56.2 units was also observed at the latest follow up.Side effects were mild and mainly gastrointestinal like bloating and nausea improving with prolonged use of semaglutide.CONCLUSION Semaglutide treatment is associated with significant improvement in diabesity outcomes such as reduction in body weight,HbA1c and insulin doses without major adverse effects.Reviews of largescale real-world data are expected to inform better clinical practice decision making to improve the care of patients with diabesity.

The role of artificial intelligence technology in the care of diabetic foot ulcers: the past, the present, and the future

Foot ulcers are common complications of diabetes mellitus and substantially increase the morbidity and mortality due to this disease.Wound care by regular monitoring of the progress of healing with clinical review of the ulcers,dressing changes,appropriate antibiotic therapy for infection and proper offloading of the ulcer are the cornerstones of the management of foot ulcers.Assessing the progress of foot ulcers can be a challenge for the clinician and patient due to logistic issues such as regular attendance in the clinic.Foot clinics are often busy and because of manpower issues,ulcer reviews can be delayed with detrimental effects on the healing as a result of a lack of appropriate and timely changes in management.Wound photographs have been historically useful to assess the progress of diabetic foot ulcers over the past few decades.Mobile phones with digital cameras have recently revolutionized the capture of foot ulcer images.Patients can send ulcer photographs to diabetes care professionals electronically for remote monitoring,largely avoiding the logistics of patient transport to clinics with a reduction on clinic pressures.Artificial intelligence-based technologies have been developed in recent years to improve this remote monitoring of diabetic foot ulcers with the use of mobile apps.This is expected to make a huge impact on diabetic foot ulcer care with further research and development of more accurate and scientific technologies in future.This clinical update review aims to compile evidence on this hot topic to empower clinicians with the latest developments in the field.