Efficacy of Body Weight Reduction on the SGLT2 Inhibitor in People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Dapagliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, reduces hyperglycemia and body weight by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption. However, only a few studies have demonstrated efficacy of dapagliflozin for type 2 diabetic patients in Korea. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of dapagliflozin for Korean type 2 diabetes patients.

This is a retrospective study that included data from 61 patients who received 12 months of dapagliflozin therapy and who visited a single medical center between January 2015 and July 2016. Patients were separated into three groups: dual combination of dapagliflozin and metformin, triple combination of dapagliflozin and metformin with sulfonylurea, or dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, and quadriple combination of dapagliflozin, metformin, and sulfonylurea with dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors. Patients who achieved ≥5% body weight reduction were classified as responders, and those who achieved <5% body weight reduction were classified as non-responders.

After 12 months, the mean change from baseline body weight was -3.4±2.6 kg (P<0.001) for all patients, -3.4±3.1 kg (P<0.001) for group 1, -2.7±2.0 kg (P=0.008) for group 2, and -4.0±2.3 kg (P<0.001) for group 3. Fasting C-peptide level was higher in the responder group than in the non-responder group (3.25±1.07 ng/mL vs. 2.62±1.02 ng/mL, P=0.023). In total, reductions in HbA1c, PP2, and FPG levels were -0.61±0.82% (P=0.000), -35.4±62 mg/dL (P=0.000), and -21.3±56.2 mg/dL (P=0.012), respectively. They had mild adverse events included orthostatic dizziness and urinary tract infection.

SGLT2 inhibitor improved glycemic control and reduced body weight in a safe manner for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.