Abstract: International guidelines propose prescribing sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors to patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) as secondary prevention in patients with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with multiple risk factors (MRF) for ASCVD. The current analyses expand on the cardiovascular renal and metabolic effects of SGLT2 inhibitors in MRF patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In DECLARE-TIMI 58, 17,160 patients with T2D and MRF (59.4%) or established ASCVD (40.6%) were randomized to dapagliflozin versus placebo; patients were followed for a median of 4.2 years. The cardiovascular and renal outcomes in the MRF cohort were studied across clinically relevant subgroups for treatment effect and subgroup-based treatment interaction. RESULTS Among patients with MRF, the reduction with dapagliflozin in risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (CVD/HHF) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.84, 95% CI 0.67–1.04) and the renal-specific outcome (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37–0.69) did not differ from that for patients with ASCVD (Pinteraction 0.99 and 0.72, respectively). The effect on CVD/HHF was entirely driven by a reduction in HHF (HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.88). The benefits of dapagliflozin on HHF and on the renal-specific outcome, among the subset with MRF, were directionally consistent across clinically relevant subgroups. At 48 months, HbA1c, weight, systolic blood pressure, and urinary albumin–to–creatinine ratio were lower with dapagliflozin versus placebo and estimated glomerular filtration rate was higher (P & lt; 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In patients with T2D and MRF, dapagliflozin reduced the risk of HHF and adverse renal outcomes regardless of baseline characteristics. These analyses support the benefit of dapagliflozin for important outcomes in a broad primary prevention population.

Abstract: Hypoglycaemia is a well‐known risk associated with the use of sulphonylureas and insulin, often limiting achievement of glycaemic goals. Recognizing the precipitants and recurrence patterns of hypoglycaemic events, particularly major events, is therefore clinically important. The SAVOR‐TIMI ‐53 trial was a cardiovascular outcome study of 16 492 patients allocated to saxagliptin vs placebo added to conventional care for a median of 2.1 years. Hypoglycaemic events were a prespecified outcome in the study and were defined as a symptomatic episode that recovered with carbohydrates or any recorded blood glucose 〈 3.0 mmol/l ( 〈 54 mg/ dL) . A major event was defined as one that required third‐party assistance. Analysis of the features of the first hypoglycaemic event for each patient showed that a precipitant for the event was recognized by fewer than half of the patients, with the precipitant most often being a missed meal. In 40% of patients reporting major hypoglycaemic events, no precipitating factor was recognized, and in 〉 60%, no previous hypoglycaemic event was reported during the timespan of the study, underscoring the lack of predictability of such an event.

Abstract: To assess the association between urinary albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR) categories within the normal range with mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Materials and Methods PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for real‐world evidence studies. Studies were manually evaluated according to predefined eligibility criteria. We included prospective and retrospective cohort studies of the association between UACR categories 〈 30 mg/g and cardiovascular outcomes or mortality. Published information regarding study design, participants, UACR categorization, statistical methods, and results was manually collected. Two UACR categorization approaches were defined: a two‐category (UACR 〈 10 mg/g vs. 10‐30 mg/g) and a three‐category division (UACR 〈 5 mg/g vs. 5‐10 and 10‐30 mg/g). A random effects meta‐analysis was performed on studies eligible for the meta‐analysis. Results In total, 22 manuscripts were identified for the systematic review, 15 of which were eligible for the meta‐analysis. The results suggest an association between elevated UACR within the normal to mildly increased range and higher risks of all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death, and coronary heart disease, particularly in the range of 10‐30 mg/g. Compared with UACR 〈 10 mg/g, the hazard ratio [HR (95% confidence interval, CI)] for UACR between 10 and 30 mg/g was 1.41 (1.15, 1.74) for all‐cause mortality and 1.56 (1.23, 1.98) for coronary heart disease. Compared with UACR 〈 5 mg/g, the risk of cardiovascular mortality for UACR between 10 and 30 mg/g was more than twofold [HR (95% CI): 2.12 (1.61, 2.80)]. Intermediate UACR (5‐10 mg/g) was also associated with a higher risk of all‐cause mortality [HR (95% CI): 1.14 (1.05, 1.24)] and cardiovascular mortality [HR (95% CI): 1.50 (1.14, 1.99)]. Conclusions We propose considering higher UACR within the normoalbuminuric range as a prognostic factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Our findings underscore the clinical significance of even mild increases in albuminuria.

Abstract: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors may have a protective effect in diabetic nephropathy. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We studied renal outcomes of 16,492 patients with type 2 diabetes, randomized to saxagliptin versus placebo and followed for a median of 2.1 years in the Saxagliptin Assessment of Vascular Outcomes Recorded in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus–Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 53 (SAVOR-TIMI 53) trial. RESULTS At baseline, 9,696 (58.8%) subjects had normoalbuminuria (albumin/creatinine ratio [ACR] & lt;30 mg/g), 4,426 (26.8%) had microalbuminuria (ACR 30–300 mg/g), and 1,638 (9.9%) had macroalbuminuria (ACR & gt;300 mg/g). Treatment with saxagliptin was associated with improvement in and/or less deterioration in ACR categories from baseline to end of trial (EOT) (P = 0.021, P & lt; 0.001, and P = 0.049 for individuals with baseline normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, and macroalbuminuria, respectively). At 2 years, the difference in mean ACR change between saxagliptin and placebo arms was −19.3 mg/g (P = 0.033) for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) & gt;50 mL/min/body surface area per 1.73 m2 (BSA), −105 mg/g (P = 0.011) for 50 ≥ eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/BSA, and −245.2 mg/g (P = 0.086) for eGFR & lt;30 mL/min/BSA. Analyzing ACR as a continuous variable showed reduction in ACR with saxagliptin (1 year, P & lt; 0.0001; 2 years, P = 0.0143; and EOT, P = 0.0158). The change in ACR did not correlate with that in HbA1c (r = 0.041, 0.052, and 0.036; 1 year, 2 years, and EOT, respectively). The change in eGFR was similar in the saxagliptin and placebo groups. Safety renal outcomes, including doubling of serum creatinine, initiation of chronic dialysis, renal transplantation, or serum creatinine & gt;6.0 mg/dL, were similar as well. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with saxagliptin improved ACR, even in the normoalbuminuric range, without affecting eGFR. The beneficial effect of saxagliptin on albuminuria could not be explained by its effect on glycemic control.

Abstract: To assess treatment satisfaction and the effectiveness of a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system in patients with type 2 diabetes using insulin. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 101 patients with type 2 diabetes on multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) for at least 1 year were assigned randomly to the FGM intervention (n = 53) or the standard care (control) group (n = 48) and followed for 10 weeks. Both groups were instructed to adjust their insulin doses in face-to-face and telephone visits. Satisfaction with treatment, quality of life, comfort using FGM, HbA1c, and frequency of hypoglycemic events were evaluated. RESULTS The intervention group found treatment significantly more flexible (P = 0.019) and would recommend it to their counterparts (P = 0.023). Satisfaction using the FGM system was high. The changes in HbA1c were –0.82% (9 mmol/mol) vs. –0.33% (3.6 mmol/mol) in the intervention and control group, respectively (P = 0.005); in nonprespecified post hoc analysis, 68.6% of the patients in the intervention group had their HbA1c reduced by ≥0.5% (5.5 mmol/mol) compared with 30.2% in the control group (P & lt; 0.001), and 39.2% had their HbA1c reduced by ≥1.0% (10.9 mmol/mol) vs. 18.6% in the control group (P = 0.0023) without an increased frequency of hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS FGM tends to improve treatment satisfaction and may lead to amelioration of glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes on MDI without increasing the frequency of hypoglycemia.

Abstract: SGLT2 inhibitors may lead to short term decrease in eGFR, with later stabilization and long-term reduction in the risk for end stage kidney disease. Fast decline (FD) in eGFR can be defined as a reduction of ≥3 ml/min/1.73m2/year and is associated with poor long-term renal prognosis. In this post-hoc analysis we studied the effect of dapagliflozin (dapa) on the risk for FD in the DECLARE-TIMI 58 trial. In DECLARE-TIMI 58, 17,160 patients with T2D and established or increased risk for CVD, with mean baseline eGFR of 85.2 ml/min/1.73m2, were randomized to dapa vs. placebo and followed for a median of 4.2 years. The risk for FD was compared between treatment arms. In the time frame of 0.5 years (after stabilization) to 4 years, the proportion of patients with FD was reduced with dapa vs. placebo (26.8% vs. 37.1% respectively, p & lt;0.0001). This observation was persistent in all subgroups assessed (Table). The mean (SD) reduction in eGFR per year was 6.3 (3.7) vs. 0.0 (2.5) ml/min/1.73m2/year in the FD (N=4,788) vs. non-FD (N=10,224) patients. The proportion of patients with FD during the entire study period (i.e., 0-4 years) was reduced with dapa vs. placebo as well (33.6% vs. 37.0% respectively, p & lt;0.0001). Dapagliflozin reduced the risk for FD in eGFR in a broad population of patients with T2D and either established or increased risk for CVD, but relatively preserved renal function, irrespective of patients’ baseline characteristics. Disclosure I. Raz: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, BOL, CamerEyes Ltd, Concenter BioPharma, DarioHealth, Diabot, Exscopia, GlucoMe, Insuline Medical, Medial EarlySIgn, Orgenesis Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. Stock/Shareholder; Self; BOL, CamerEyes Ltd, DarioHealth, Diabot, GlucoMe, Orgenesis Inc. S.D. Wiviott: Consultant; Self; Aegerion Pharmaceuticals, Allergan, Angelmed, Arena Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Boston Clinical Research Institute, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, ICON Clinical, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Servier, St. Jude Medical, XOMA Corporation. Employee; Spouse/Partner; Merck & Co., Inc. Research Support; Self; Amgen, Arena Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Sanofi-Aventis. Other Relationship; Self; See other relationships for list. H.L. Heerspink: Consultant; Self; AbbVie Inc., AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, CSL Behring, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Mundipharma International, Retrophin, Inc. J.P. Dwyer: Advisory Panel; Self; Bayer AG, Bird Rock Bio. Consultant; Self; US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Employee; Self; Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Other Relationship; Self; Akcea Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, CSL Behring, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Praetego, Sanofi. A. Cahn: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk Inc. Consultant; Self; GlucoMe, Medial EarlySign. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Abbott, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. E.L. Goodrich: Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca. S. Murphy: Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca. Other Relationship; Self; Abbott, Amgen, Aralez, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Intarcia, Janssen, The Medicines Company, MedImmune, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Poxel, Quark Pharma. A. Rozenberg: None. I. Yanuv: None. J. Wilding: Advisory Panel; Self; Astellas Pharma Inc., AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Mundipharma International, Napp Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk A/S, Wilmington Healthcare. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly and Company, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. L.A. Leiter: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd., Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, HLS Therapeutics, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Servier. Research Support; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Medicines Company. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, HLS Therapeutics, Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medscape, Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi, Servier. D.L. Bhatt: Research Support; Self; Abbott, Afimmune, Amarin Corporation, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cardax, Chiesi USA, Inc., CSL Behring, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Fractyl Laboratories, Inc., Idorsia, Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Ischemix, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Pfizer Inc., PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., PLx Pharma Inc., Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Roche Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Synaptic. D.K. McGuire: Consultant; Self; Afimmune, Applied Therapeutics, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Metavant. Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi-Aventis. R.C. Ma: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca. Stock/Shareholder; Self; GemVCare. Other Relationship; Self; AstraZeneca, Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., Novo Nordisk A/S, Pfizer Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Tricida Inc. T. Tankova: Board Member; Self; Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Mundipharma International, Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Sanofi, Servier. M. Fredriksson: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. I.A. Gause-Nilsson: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. A. Langkilde: Employee; Self; AstraZeneca. Stock/Shareholder; Self; AstraZeneca. M.S. Sabatine: Consultant; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bristol-Myers Squibb, CVS Caremark, DalCor Pharmaceuticals, Dyrnamix Inc., Esperion Therapeutics, Inc., IFM Therapeutics, Intarcia Therapeutics, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Medicines Company, MedImmune, Merck & lt; Co., Inc. Research Support; Self; Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer U.S., Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Inc., Intarcia Therapeutics, Janssen Research and Development, Medicines Company, MedImmune, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Quark Pharmaceuticals. O. Mosenzon: Advisory Panel; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi. Research Support; Self; AstraZeneca, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Eli Lilly and Company, Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., Novo Nordisk A/S, Sanofi, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Funding AstraZeneca

Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 9.1% globally, with persistent albuminuria being a key indicator. Although some studies suggested that high urinary albumin to creatinine (UACR) levels within the normal-to-mildly-increased range is associated with adverse outcomes, the importance of this association is not yet established. Thus, we conducted a systematic search and a meta-analysis, aiming to assess the association between UACR within the normal to mildly increased range and mortality as well as adverse cardiovascular outcomes.