A new class of type 2 diabetes medication could prevent around 20,000 premature deaths annually in the UK, according to a study by University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
The once-daily tablets, known as SGLT-2 inhibitors, work by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose from the body through urine. Drugs in this class include canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin.
Analysing data from 60,000 people in the UK, researchers found that patients prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors were 24% less likely to die prematurely over an average of three years compared to those on other glucose-lowering medications. With an estimated three million people being treated for type 2 diabetes in the UK, this translates to about 20,000 lives saved each year.
The findings support draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) which endorses SGLT-2 inhibitors as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, alongside metformin. Nice announced in August the biggest shake-up of diabetes care in a decade, recommending earlier access to these newer treatments.
Despite their benefits, Nice analysis of 590,000 patient records revealed that SGLT-2 inhibitors are under-prescribed, particularly among women, older people, and black patients. The new guidelines advise that patients who cannot tolerate metformin should start with an SGLT-2 inhibitor alone.
Dr David Ryan from UCL noted that the drugs work well for a wide range of patients, while Dr Patrick Bidulka from LSHTM highlighted how electronic health records can complement trial evidence to improve patient outcomes.
