Efficacy of dapagliflozin and empagliflozin for prevention of cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a network meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective. A network meta-analysis (indirect comparison and mixed comparison) of the effects of empagliflozin and dapagliflozin on the incidence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and previous cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods. A systematic review and selection of studies were performed in the PubMed and EMBASE databases. A network meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the guidelines for indirect comparisons and criteria for assessing the methodological quality of indirect comparisons. Indirect comparisons were made using the methodology presented by H.C. Bucher et al. (1997). Results. We enrolled 3 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for inclusion in indirect comparison network (one RCT for empagliflozin and two RCTs for dapagliflozin). Moreover, additional searching revealed one head-to-head comparative real-life study of dapa-gliflozin and empagliflozin that was included in a mixed comparison network. We found no difference in clinical efficacy of dapa-gliflozin and empagliflozin for preventing adverse cardiovascular events in patients with DM2 and previous cardiovascular diseases.