Metformin

An observational study suggests that prior metformin use may offer a protective effect against COVID-19 mortality in people with type 2 diabetes, but only for women.

Among the latest findings from the DPP Outcomes Study is that long-term use of metformin does not affect the risk for cancer.

People with type 2 diabetes who are treated with metformin prior to undergoing major surgical interventions may have better postoperative outcomes than those without exposure to the drug, researchers report.

Adding the DPP-4 inhibitor sitagliptin to first-line metformin therapy may delay the need for exogenous insulin among people with type 2 diabetes, researchers report.

Findings from the SAVOR-TIMI 53 trial suggest that metformin treatment reduces cardiovascular and all-cause mortality but not nonfatal cardiovascular disease events, but a meta-analysis points to wider benefits.

Upfront treatment with medications that target the underlying pathophysiology of prediabetes may slow patients’ progression to type 2 diabetes, report researchers.

Advisory Board member Theresa Smyth tackles an emergency case involving a type 2 diabetes patient on a new diet and treated with empagliflozin. What went wrong and how should he be managed? [Read more].

Get more on: SGLT2 inhibitors | Diet and nutritional management

Diabetes medications are frequently unavailable and unaffordable, particularly in lower-income countries, shows an analysis of the PURE study.

Research shows that starting second-line sulfonylurea treatment is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular and hypoglycemic events among patients with type 2 diabetes in clinical practice, although the risk is less if they continue using metformin rather than switching completely.

This meta-analysis of observational studies assesses the association between risk of bladder cancer and exposure to pioglitazone among subjects with type 2 diabetes [read more].
Mehtälä J et al. Diabetol Int 2018. doi: 10.1007/s13340-018-0360-4

Get more on:  Diabetic complications | Medication | Type 2 diabetes