Short-term Cardio-Vascular Risk Score Changes in Type 2 Diabetic Patients on Empaglifozin: A Real-Life Clinical Experience

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to test both efficacy and safety of empaglifozin in type 2
diabetic out patients followed-up within a single institution.
Materials and Methods: One hundred seventy-eight consecutive patients treated with empaglifozin
for 6 months were compared to 356 fully matched control patients on alternative drugs:
side effects were monitored and changes from baseline were evaluated for body weight, body
mass index (BMI), blood pressure, circulating glucose, HbA1c, uric acid, triglycerides, total,
high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels, as well
as creatinine clearance rate. The 10-year Cardiovascular Risk score (10-y CV-RS) was also
assessed in all patients according to the cryogenic underground observatory for rare events
(CUORE) calculation charts. Weight, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as,
HbA1c, glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride and uric acid levels, significantly decreased after
treatment, along with the 10-y CV-RS which is in fact strongly related to the above.
Results: Virtually no changes were observed in creatinine clearance rate and HDL levels. 45%
patients reported polyuria, 15% genital itching, 8% genital infections, 12% urinary tract infections,
no volume depletion or keto-acidosis episodes were described.
Conclusion: In conclusion, in diabetic patients experiencing no previous major cardiovascular
events, empaglifozin significantly improved all cardiovascular risk factors, including glucose
control, and the 10-y CV-RS. Moreover it was well tolerated, so that no treatment discontinuation
was needed even in case of urinary tract infections.