Dapagliflozin A Solution to Prevent Heart Failure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and one of the most common reasons for hospitalization. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, affecting approximately 10% of the population worldwide. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2) are a new class of oral hypoglycemic drugs that inhibit renal glucose reabsorption. Treatment with SGLT2 inhibitors has beneficial effects on several atherogenic risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aim of the Study: To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on diabetes control and prevention of atherogenic risk factors.

Materials and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial conducted from January 2021 to January 2022 at the Cardiology Department of Tobruk Medical Center in Libya. A total of 308 men and women with diabetes between the ages of 25 and 72 participated in the study. Patients provided written informed consent before participating in the study. After obtaining consent, we began the investigation. The patients were then randomly divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 154) received dapagliflozin 5 mg orally daily in the morning. Group 2 (n = 154), the group taking regular medicine without dapagliflozin (control group); Serum glucose levels, serum uric acid levels, blood pressure and body weight were estimated monthly during the study.

Results: Details of the 308 patients selected for analysis are as follows. The mean age of group 1 patients was 56.5 years (range 41–72 years), and the mean age of group 2 patients was 38.5 years (range 25–52 years). Pre-study mean serum glucose levels were 197 mg/dL in group 1 and 203 mg/dL in group 2. Pre-study mean serum uric acid levels were 6.3 mg/dL in group 1 and 6.7 mg/dL in group 2. There are statistically significant associations between dapagliflozin efficacy and gender, blood sugar levels, uric acid levels, blood pressure, weight, and heart disease complications.

Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibitors effectively protect against major cardiovascular events, especially in type 2 diabetic patients with a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or progressive renal disease.

Keywords: Dapagliflozin; Diabetes Mellitus; Heart Failure.