Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and erythrocytosis: a review

Authors

  • Najeeb Shah Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull
  • Thushari Bandara Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull
  • Harshal Deshmukh Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull
  • Lucy Batten Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull
  • Chris Walton Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull
  • Thozhukat Sathyapalan Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15277/bjd.2022.384

Keywords:

type 2 diabetes mellitus, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, erythrocytosis, haematocrit, polycythaemia

Abstract

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a class of anti-hyperglycaemic agents widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They function by reducing renal glucose reabsorption and thereby promote urinary glucose excretion, resulting in improvement in glycaemic control. In large-scale clinical trials, SGLT2i have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke significantly. In addition, clinical evidence suggests that they are renal protective as their use reduces the relative risk of end-stage renal disease and death from renal causes. These positive results have led to a rapid uptake of SGLT2i in clinical practice. Recently, clinical studies and case reports have suggested a link between SGLT2i therapy and erythrocytosis. The authors discuss possible mechanisms at cellular level that may cause erythrocytosis and explore its clinical relevance in people living with T2DM who are taking SGLT2i therapy.

Author Biography

Najeeb Shah, Department of Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS trust, Hull

I am Dr Najeeb Shah, a speciality trainee in Diabetes & Endocrinology in the Yorkshire & Humber Deanery and currently doing my MD from the University of Hull. I am the first author of this article.

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Published

2022-12-21

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 2 (2022): December 2022

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Reviews

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