A systematic review of observational studies of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and COVID-19 outcomes: a methodological assessment.
Audray St-Jean, Carolina Moriello, Oriana H Y Yu et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed observational studies on sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and their impact on mortality and hospitalization in patients with type two diabetes and COVID-19. Among 20 cohort studies, five indicated a reduced risk of all-cause mortality (0.25 to 0.82) and four showed a decreased risk of hospitalization (0.79 to 0.92). The review highlighted significant methodological concerns.
Key findings
- Five studies reported a decreased risk of all-cause mortality with SGLT2 inhibitors, with estimates ranging from 0.25 to 0.82.
- Four studies indicated a decreased risk of hospitalization, with estimates ranging from 0.79 to 0.92.
- Fourteen studies were assessed to be at serious risk of bias, and six at critical risk.
- No meta-analysis was performed due to low quality and heterogeneity of the studies.
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of SGLT2 inhibitors in the context of COVID-19 is crucial for managing patients with type two diabetes. However, the methodological limitations of existing studies hinder the ability to draw reliable conclusions.
What to keep in mind
The review identified significant methodological issues, including serious and critical risks of bias in many studies.