Long-term renal outcomes associated with sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS

The long-term impact of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on renal functions remains undefined. This study was undertaken to investigate the renal outcomes associated with SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in the long term.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted. Randomized controlled trials which reported renal outcomes at the study endpoint in patients with T2DM receiving treatments of SGLT2 inhibitors were included. Renal adverse events were determined using prespecified lists from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities or laboratory values. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for assessment of dichotomous data. The mean difference or standardized mean difference with 95% CI was used for assessment of continuous data. Random effects models were adopted to measure the pooled outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine studies involving 35 trials were identified. Compared with placebo or other anti-diabetic medications, SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with significant lower incidence of composite renal outcome and acute renal failure or injury in patients with T2DM. The risk of progression of albuminuria also appeared to be decreased. No significant changes of estimated glomerular filtration rate levels or urine albumin-creatinine ratios were found in patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall renal safety and beneficial effects are indicated for SGLT2 inhibitors. Further confirmative data from large trials and real-world studies are needed.