Correlation between the utilization of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and the risk of dementia: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan

Abstract

The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SLGT2i) usage on reducing the risk of dementia remains uncertain. Our research seeks to establish the association between dementia risk and SLGT2 inhibitors among individuals with diabetes. This study relied on data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database (NHIRD), which was established in 1995 coinciding with the launch of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program by the Taiwanese government. The NHI program was implemented to enhance the healthcare system and public health in Taiwan. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) administered SGLT2i between 2016 and 2019 were included in the SGLT2i cohort. The comparison cohort consisted of patients who did not receive SGLT2i, propensity score matching by sex, age (in 5-y intervals), index date year, insurance fee, urbanization, comorbidities, and medications, with a 1:1 ratio of the exposure group. SGLT2i users had a significantly lower risk of dementia than non-SGLT2i users after adjusting for age, sex, insurance fees, urbanization, comorbidities, and medications (adjusted HR = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.50–0.57). The results revealed that patients treated with SGLT2i have a lower risk of dementia in Taiwan.