Endocrinol Metab.  2021 Aug;36(4):904-908. 10.3803/EnM.2021.1048.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors and COVID-19-Related Deaths among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

• Patoulias D
• Doumas M

• KMID: 2519678
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3803/EnM.2021.1048

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic remains an unbeaten enemy. Unfortunately, no targeted treatment option is available. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have increased odds for severe or fatal disease, as demonstrated in recent observational studies. There is an ongoing discussion regarding the impact of different antidiabetic drug classes on outcomes of interest among affected subjects. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have been placed at the epicenter, since the DPP-4 enzyme seems to be implicated in the disease pathogenesis. Herein we present an updated meta-analysis of observational studies addressing the risk of COVID-19 death among patients with T2DM on prior DPP-4 inhibitor treatment. We pooled data from 10 observational studies, showing that DPP-4 inhibitors produce a non-significant decrease in the risk for COVID-19-related death. However, when administered in the inpatient setting, DPP-4 inhibitors decrease the risk for COVID-19-related death by 50%. Ongoing randomized controlled trials will shed further light.

Keyword

Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors; Diabetes mellitus; type 2; COVID-19; Mortality

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors compared to control on the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related death. M-H, Mantel-Haenszel; CI, confidence interval.

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