Introduction:

Weight loss in diabetic patients can be associated with cardiovascular risk reduction. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have beneficial effects in the reduction of cardiovascular risk and are approved for the treatment of diabetes. Additionally, iSGLT2 is associated with a weight loss of approximately 2 kg in the first six months of treatment. In this study, we report the experience of a Portuguese primary care unit with this class and evaluate the effects on weight, waist circumference, and glycemic control during 12 months of follow-up.

Methods:

This is an observational retrospective study. Patients with diabetes under treatment with SGLT2i who completed 12 months of follow-up were included. The exclusion criteria included: therapeutic changes and medical or surgical complications. The patients were evaluated at zero, six, and 12 months after the SGLT2i institution. The variables analyzed included weight, waist circumference, and glycated hemoglobin.

Results: One hundred and eighty-seven patients were included. The mean age was 65 ± 10.4 years old, and the majority was male (62.0%). The average duration of diabetes was 9 ± 7.4 years. Most patients were under therapy with dapagliflozin (65.8%) and the rest with empagliflozin (34.2%). Weight loss was significant between zero- and six-month follow-up (p<0.001) and between six and 12 months (p=0.01), with reductions of 2.3 ± 0.2 kg and 0.5 ± 0.2 kg respectively. Waist circumference and glycated hemoglobin reduced significantly from zero to six months, 1.5 ± 0.3 cm (p<0.001) and 0.9 ± 0.8% (p<0.001), respectively. Both variables had no significant changes between six and 12-month follow-ups.

Conclusion:

The use of iSGLT2 in the treatment of patients with diabetes in a real-life study showed significant improvement in glycemic control, weight loss, and waist circumference.

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