Cited by 51Diabetes Treatment and ManagementHeart Failure Treatment and ManagementBlood Pressure and Hypertension Studies

Efficacy and safety profile of SGLT2 inhibitors in the elderly: how is the benefit/risk balance?

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Scheen, André J., Bonnet, Fabrice·2023·Diabetes & Metabolism

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a highly prevalent health condition in the aging population. Older adults with T2DM have higher risks of cardiovascular disease, heart failure (long underestimated) and premature death than those without diabetes. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have proven their ability to improve cardiovascular prognosis and reduce the risk of hospitalization for heart failure (hHF). However, several adverse events have been reported, whose incidence and severity might be increased in the elderly population. The aims of this comprehensive review were to analyze the benefit-risk ratio of SGLT2i therapy in older patients with T2DM by collecting data from (i) large prospective placebo-controlled cardiovascular outcome trials (including those dedicated to heart failure), using both original publications and dedicated post-hoc analyses across different age groups and (ii) observational cohort studies, describing the effects of SGLT2is versus other glucose-lowering agents on cardiovascular outcomes and hHF in elderly patients or these effects in different age groups. Overall, consistent results showed a similar relative risk reduction in cardiovascular mortality and hHF with SGLT2is independently of age. The absolute risk reduction may be greater in elderly because of a higher background risk in older versus younger patients. Similarly, the safety profile of SGLT2is appeared comparable in older versus younger patients. In conclusion, the benefit/risk balance favors the use of SGLT2is in older patients at risk of cardiovascular disease and/or heart failure. Caution may be required in very old frail patients, especially those exposed to an increased risk of volume depletion.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.diabet.2023.101419

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  • SGLT2 inhibitors may cause clinically significant volume depletion, for which older adults are at greater risk.

    “SGLT2 inhibitors may cause clinically significant volume depletion, for which older adults are at greater risk”

    From 13. Older Adults: Standards of Care in Diabetes—2026 (2026) · cites this paper as [143]

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  1. Radholm K, Figtree G, Perkovic V, Solomon SD, Mahaffey KW, de Zeeuw D, et al. Canagliflozin and heart failure in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Circulation 2018;138:458-68.

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Authors
Scheen, A. J., & Bonnet, F.
Affiliations
  • University of Liège (BE)
  • Inserm (FR)
Corresponding author
Scheen, André J.
Venue
Diabetes & Metabolism
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-03
Volume
49
Issue
2
Pages
101419
ISSN
1262-3636 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4315647951
Cited by
51
References
113
Citations by year
2026: 13 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9
FWCI
1.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Diabetes & Metabolism (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diabetes Treatment and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Heart Failure Treatment and Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
Keywords
SGLT2 inhibitors, type 2 diabetes, older adults, heart failure, cardiovascular outcomes, benefit-risk balance, adverse events, cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalization, frailty, hypovolemia, age differences
MeSH terms
Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors, Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Glucose, Heart Failure, Humans, Hypoglycemic Agents, Prospective Studies

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