Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2025

Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test OGTT and Insulin Tolerance Test ITT
Published on: January 7, 2018
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A population-based cohort study
Stephanie Aloe1,2, Christopher Filliter2, Shahrzad Salmasi2,3
1Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Aims:
The cardiovascular benefits of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) result from their complex impact on coronary and arterial vessels. However, their effect on veins and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear. Meta-analysis of trials has suggested no significant change in risk, but observational studies on the topic are scarce. Our objective was to determine if the use of SGLT2Is, compared to the use of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is), is associated with the risk of VTE among patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods:
Using the Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to hospitalization and vital statistics databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study using a prevalent new-user design. SGLT2Is were matched to DPP-4I users on calendar time, diabetes treatment intensity, duration of previous DPP-4I use and time-conditional high-dimensional propensity score. Cox proportional hazard models estimated the hazard ratio (HR) for VTE with SGLT2Is versus DPP-4Is.
Results:
SGLT2I use was not associated with an increased risk of VTE (HR 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34 to 1.25). This finding was consistent among prevalent (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.42) and incident (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.33 to 1.72) new users.
Conclusions:
We found that SGLT2Is were not associated with an increased risk of VTE compared to DPP-4Is. Although we observed a numerically decreased risk of VTE with SGLT2Is, estimates were accompanied by wide 95% CIs. Nonetheless, given the morbidity associated with VTE, our results provide some reassurance regarding the safety of SGLT2Is with respect to VTE.
Insights
Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) do not increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study found no significant association between SGLT2I use and VTE risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2Is) offer cardiovascular benefits, primarily through arterial effects.
- The impact of SGLT2Is on venous vessels and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains incompletely understood.
- Existing meta-analyses suggest no significant VTE risk alteration, but observational data are limited.
Conclusions:
- SGLT2 inhibitors are not associated with an increased risk of VTE compared to DPP-4 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes patients.
- The observed trend towards a decreased VTE risk with SGLT2Is warrants further investigation.
- These findings offer reassurance regarding the safety of SGLT2Is concerning VTE risk.
More Related Videos
08:32Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
06:21Osmotic Minipump Implantation for Increasing Glucose Concentration in Mouse Cerebrospinal Fluid
Published on: April 7, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Glucose Transporters
Facilitated diffusion-glucose transporters (GLUTs) are encoded by the solute-linked carrier (SLC) family 2, subfamily A gene family, or SLC2A. The 14 GLUT protein members are distributed into three classes:
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Glucose Absorption Into the Small Intestine
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies