Antihyperglycaemic drugs are beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors are more beneficial than sulfonylureas for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

During the study, the academics assessed the health outcomes of thousands of people using GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors and sulfonylureas.

They found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a 30 per cent decreased risk of severe exacerbation compared to sulfonylureas.

In addition, they discovered that DPP-4 inhibitors were associated with a modestly decreased incidence of severe exacerbation.

Meanwhile, SGLT-2 inhibitors were associated with a 38 per cent decreased risk of severe exacerbation, the study has reported.

The research states: “In this population-based study, GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors were associated with a reduced risk of severe exacerbations compared with sulfonylureas in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type 2 diabetes.

“DPP-4 inhibitors were not clearly associated with a decreased risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.”

Click here to read the research report.