SGLT2 inhibitors offer established cardiovascular and renal benefits, and this review outlines clinical practice considerations for managing the associated risk of genitourinary infections.
What is the risk of genitourinary infections associated with SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with cardiovascular disease, and how should it be managed?
This review provides clinical practice considerations for managing the risk of genitourinary infections in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors, emphasizing proper risk-benefit assessment.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have been shown to reduce adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, all-cause mortality, and heart failure hospitalization in patients with heart failure, as well as adverse renal outcomes. However, concerns regarding the heightened risk of genitourinary (GU) infections, particularly urinary tract infections, remain a significant barrier to their wider adoption. Addressing these misconceptions using existing evidence is needed to ensure proper risk-benefit assessment and optimal utilization of this efficacious therapy. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective on the evidence-based cardiovascular and renal benefits of SGLT2is and the associated risk of GU infections. We also summarize and propose clinical practice considerations for SGLT2i-associated GU infections focusing on patients with cardiovascular disease.
Kittipibul et al. (2024) conducted a review in Type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) was evaluated. SGLT2 inhibitors offer established cardiovascular and renal benefits, and this review outlines clinical practice considerations for managing the associated risk of genitourinary infections.