The Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract Introduction This study aimed to confirm the usefulness of basal insulin analogue plus oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) for type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients inadequately controlled with premixed insulin with/without OADs and assess the role of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors within this regimen in clinical practice. Methods Spanish retrospective observational study that included 186 T2D patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7% (53 mmol/mol) despite premixed insulin with/without OADs who had been switched to basal insulin analogue plus OADs. Study data describing the situation before the treatment switch and 6 months later was retrospectively retrieved from patients’ medical charts. Results Switching to a basal insulin plus OADs decreased HbA1c (−1.0%, p<0.001), fasting (−38.1 mg/dl, p<0.001) and postprandial glycemia (−36.1 mg/dl, p<0.001), with reduced body weight (−1.1 kg, p<0.001) and hypoglycemic episodes (−17.5%, p<0.001). 68 (36.6%) patients received a basal insulin plus DPP-4 inhibitor±metformin and 74 (39.8%) plus metformin only. The DPP-4 inhibitor±metformin group showed a greater HbA1c reduction than the metformin group (1.3±1.4% vs. 0.9±1.0%, p=0.022), with no significant differences between groups in hypoglycemic episodes. Conclusions Basal insulin analogue plus OADs may be a useful treatment for type 2 diabetes patients inadequately controlled with premixed insulin. Administering DPP-4 inhibitors within this regimen may contribute to improve patients’ glycemia, with a favorable weight-change profile and without increasing hypoglycemia risk.

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Therapeutic Role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors in COVID-19

10.47363/jvrr/2020(1)116 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Nasser Mikhail ◽

◽

Soma Wali ◽

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Retrospective Studies ◽

Clinical Status ◽

Dipeptidyl Peptidase ◽

Therapeutic Role ◽

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Background: Limited retrospective data suggest that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors such as sitagliptin may decrease mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Objective: To review the strength of evidence that supports possible therapeutic role of DPP-4 inhibitors in COVID-19. Methods: PUBMED search until October 10, 2020. Search terms included COVID-19, DPP-4 inhibitors, sitagliptin, CD26, mortality, diabetes. Retrospective studies, pertinent animal investigations and pre-print studies are reviewed. Results: Three retrospective studies have shown that use of DPP-4 inhibitors was associated with significant mortality reduction of approximately 56- 87% in patients with diabetes admitted with COVID-19. In addition, in one of these studies, the use of sitagliptin before hospitalization was associated with greater number of hospital discharges, improvement of clinical status, reduced risk of transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) and need for mechanical ventilation compared with patients who were not receiving sitagliptin. Moreover, there was significant decrease in some pro-inflammatory markers in the sitagliptin group. A small retrospective study of 9 patients who were taking a DPP-4 inhibitor prior to admission did not find any significant effect of DPP-4 inhibitors on mortality and clinical outcomes after hospitalization. Results of another small study suggested increase susceptibility to COVID-19, but not to its severity, in patients taking DPP-4 inhibitors. Conclusions: Weak evidence derived from observational studies suggests possible beneficial effects of DPP-4 inhibitors use in patients with type 2 diabetes and COVID-19. Randomized trials are urgently needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with COVID-19 with and without type 2 diabetes

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