Comparative Effectiveness of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA on Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Saudi Multicenter Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) have shown blood pressure (BP) reduction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, head-to-head comparisons in hypertensive patients remain limited. This study assessed the effects of SGLT2i and GLP-1RA on systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), antihypertensive regimen modifications, and adverse events in Saudi patients with both conditions. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2022 and April 2024 using records from two hospitals. Adults with T2D and hypertension who initiated SGLT2i or GLP-1RA and had ≥2 BP readings were included. BP changes were analyzed with ANOVA; adverse events and treatment discontinuation were assessed with Chi-square and Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: Of 505 patients, 291 (57.6%) received SGLT2i and 214 received GLP-1RA. Both classes significantly reduced SBP (p < 0.001), and DBP decreased significantly only in the SGLT2i group (p < 0.001). Antihypertensive regimen reduction occurred in 6.9% of patients, most commonly among SGLT2i users (74.3%), while 76.8% remained on the same regimen; the remaining patients had other modifications such as dosage adjustments or changes in individual agents. Adverse events occurred in 6.3% of patients with no group differences. Therapy discontinuation was higher with GLP-1RA (12.6%) versus SGLT2i (2.4%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both SGLT2i and GLP-1RA might be considered in patients with T2D and hypertension, with SGLT2i potentially offering additional benefits for DBP reduction and simplifying antihypertensive regimens, which could support clinical decision-making in real-world practice.