By Colin Kenny, GP, County Down
These two published studies were principally about cardiovascular (CV) risk in diabetes. The EXAMINE study assessed alogliptin. The SAVOR–TIMI 53 study assessed saxagliptin. Both studies were performed primarily to establish whether these drugs were non-inferior to placebo in terms of major CV outcomes when added on to existing antidiabetes and CV therapies.
The key findings of these studies, in my opinion, were that there was no excess pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer in the active treatment group.
Both studies were performed primarily to establish whether these drugs were non-inferior to placebo in terms of major CV outcomes when added on to existing antidiabetes and CV therapies. Neither study showed CV risk superiority. Both investigations showed a signal for heart failure, which will need more study. Cardiovascular risk still needs to be treated by the traditional methods of blood pressure and lipid lowering, as well as smoking cessation.
To access the EXAMINE study publication, click here (link to external website)
To access the SAVOR–TIMI 53 study publication, click here (link to external website)
