Meta-analysis of sodium glucose transport 2 inhibitors versus other glucose-lowering agents on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema
Pooled result · DR progressionResult — go to the resultRelative risk 0.77 95% CI 0.72,0.82Authors' conclusion
In patients with established DR or DME, SGLT2i may be preferred over DPP-4i and sulfonylureas, whereas choice of SGLT2i versus GLP-1RA should be guided by other comorbidities.
Study context
- Population
- Human studies comparing SGLT2i vs other glucose-lowering drugs (GLD) with primary outcomes of diabetic retinopathy (DR) or DME
- Participants
- 1,785,409 participants16 studies
- Comparison
- SGLT2i vs other glucose-lowering drugs
- Outcome
- DR progression
Methodological detailsrandom effects meta-analysis, meta-regression
- Random effects meta-analysis
- Meta-regression
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Relative risk
0.77
95% CI 0.72,0.82
P < 0.001
SGLT2ivs GLD
RR 0.77 (95% CI 0.72,0.82); P < 0.001
Further pooled results
| Outcome | RR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DME progression | 0.75 (0.69,0.82) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.512Relative risk (log scale) |
Absolute risk difference of DR progression
- Benefits proportional to baseline rates; absolute rd for cohorts with a 20% DR rate
- ≈4%
DR progression by comparator subclass
- Comparative benefit of SGLT2i most pronounced vs sulfonylureas than vs GLP-1RA and DPP-4i
Original publication
Meta-analysis of sodium glucose transport 2 inhibitors versus other glucose-lowering agents on the progression of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. Published 9 July 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →