BMC Endocr Disord. 2025 Dec 26. doi: 10.1186/s12902-025-02134-5. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the reduction in hospital admissions due to hypoglycemia and the decrease in HbA1c levels between empagliflozin and sulfonylurea, alongside the standard care provided to patients with type 2 diabetes during fasting.
METHODOLOGY: A single-center prospective observational cohort study was conducted from March to June 2022. Patients were treated with stable doses of empagliflozin, sulfonylureas, metformin, and DPP-4 inhibitors at least two months before fasting. Stability was defined as unchanged doses for at least one month. Participants’ BMI distribution and treatment regimens were clarified. The eGFR cutoff of < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² was chosen based on international standards for renal function in diabetes.
RESULTS: Females were in the majority (60.3%) in the intervention (case) group. Most had ages ranging from 41 to 60 years; the empagliflozin group reported slightly fewer hypoglycemic events (26.5%) compared to the sulfonylurea group (31%), and both groups demonstrated statistically significant reductions in HbA1c levels (p < 0.0001), with a similar mean decrease of approximately 0.5%, during fasting, without changes in baseline antidiabetic medications. An odds ratio of 0.387 indicated a trend toward further HbA1c reduction with increasing empagliflozin dose. However, differences in baseline weight between groups may have influenced outcomes. Separate data for modern versus conventional sulfonylureas were analyzed, showing consistency in hypoglycemic event rates across both types.
CONCLUSIONS: Empagliflozin is effective for type 2 diabetic patients during Ramadan fasting in modestly reducing the hypoglycemic events requiring hospital admissions. While both empagliflozin and sulfonylureas led to comparable reductions in HbA1c, larger, controlled studies are warranted to further evaluate clinical outcomes and control for baseline differences.
CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
PMID:41454305 | DOI:10.1186/s12902-025-02134-5
