SGLT2is Versus Metformin for Delirium Prevention in Type 2 Diabetes: A Real-World, Head- to-Head Comparative Study

To compare the effectiveness of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) versus metformin in preventing delirium among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), using real-world data.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX global health research network, including 857,171 adults with T2D who initiated either an SGLT2i (n = 88,012) or metformin (n = 769,159) from 2005 to 2025. Propensity score matching (1:1) was used to balance covariates between groups. The primary outcome was incident delirium; secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality. Absolute risk reduction (ARR), adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs), and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to assess outcomes.

After matching, SGLT2i use was associated with a significantly lower risk of delirium compared with metformin (ARR 5.03%, 3.97% vs. 9.0%; aHR 0.91 [95% CI 0.87, 0.95], P < 0.001). All-cause mortality was also lower in the SGLT2i group (ARR 9.23%, aHR 0.85 [95% CI 0.87, 0.88], P < 0.001). The most pronounced benefits were seen in adults aged ≥80 years (aHR 0.83, P < 0.0001), males, and high-risk subgroups using insulin or sedatives.

This first head-to-head, real-world study suggests that SGLT2is may offer superior protection against delirium compared with metformin in patients with T2D, especially in high-risk populations. These findings support the inclusion of cognitive outcomes in diabetes treatment decisions and suggest a potential shift in first-line therapy strategies.