Comparative effectiveness of sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas in older people.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: two common anti-diabetic treatments used are sitagliptin and sulphonylureas however evidence examining their comparative effectiveness in older people is limited. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate effectiveness of sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas when added to metformin in older (aged ≥75) vs younger people (18-75). DESIGN: retrospective cohort study. SETTING: UK Primary Care. SUBJECTS: 2,904 individuals prescribed sitagliptin (223 aged≥75) and 13,683 prescribed sulphonylureas (1,725 aged ≥75). METHODS: multivariable regression to analyse difference in HbA1c and weight, 12 months after add-on initiation and proportion achieving different glycaemic targets. RESULTS: after multivariate adjustment to remove baseline differences, the HbA1c after 12 months of treatment was on average 1 mmol/mol (95%CI -0.7 to 2.8) higher with sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas in older people though this was not statistically significant. The weight however, was significantly lower -1.4 kg (95%CI -2.1 to -0.7) with sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas. A lower proportion prescribed sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas recorded HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol by study end Odds Ratio 0.63 (95%CI 0.42-0.95). In younger people, similar HbA1c reductions were also observed with both treatments, however weight after 12 months was even lower with sitagliptin vs sulphonylureas -2.3 kg (95%CI -2.5 to -2.0). CONCLUSIONS: similar HbA1c reduction was observed when sitagliptin or sulphonylureas were added to metformin in older and younger age-groups. Sitagliptin use led to modest comparative weight loss. There may be greater risk of over-treatment with sulphonylureas evidenced by greater proportion recording HbA1c < 48 mmol/mol by study end. This evidence supporting use of sitagliptin when add-on therapy is selected in older adults should be considered alongside the wider evidence-base and patient-preference.