Associations of metformin and sulfonylurea on vascular complications in early‐ and late‐onset type 2 diabetes: A cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Sulfonylurea therapy was linked to increased cardiovascular risk, particularly in younger patients, while microvascular outcomes were comparable. These findings support metformin as the preferred first-line therapy for early-onset type 2 diabetes.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with newly diagnosed T2D initiating metformin or SU 2010–2021, Yinzhou Health Information System; early-onset (<40 years) and late-onset (≥40 years)1,267 early-onset and 18,409 late-onset pairs
- Exposure
- Sulfonylurea vs metformin
- Outcome
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and microvascular disease (MVD)
Methodological detailspropensity-score matched 1:1, stratified by age at diagnosis
- Propensity-score matched 1:1
- Stratified by age at diagnosis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
CVD
Sulfonylurea vs MetforminHazard ratio (95% CI)P value
Early-onset T2D
1.69(1.10–2.60)
P = 0.037for interactionLate-onset T2D
1.07(1.02–1.13)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Microvascular disease (MVD)
- MVD risks were similar between treatments across age groups
Sensitivity analyses
- Sensitivity analyses showed consistent results
Original publication
Associations of metformin and sulfonylurea on vascular complications in early‐ and late‐onset type 2 diabetes: A cohort study. Diabetes Obes Metab. Published 18 February 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →