# Comparative Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

**Authors:** Huzaifa K Khan, Zarbakhta Ashfaq, Hamza Jamil, Hureem Yaqoob, Nouman Anthony, Rimsha Dilawar, Bilal Ahmad, Sadikun Nabi, Sharmin Ahmed Rania, Falaknaz Saleem, Marie Gerges, Demiana M Mikhael

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.80932 · Cureus · 2025-03-21

## TL;DR

This review compares two diabetes drugs, SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists, showing each has unique benefits for heart and kidney health.

## Contribution

The study provides a systematic comparison of cardiovascular and renal outcomes between SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes.

## Key findings

- SGLT2 inhibitors are more effective in reducing heart failure and kidney outcomes.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists better prevent major cardiovascular events and improve blood sugar control.
- Combination therapy may offer added benefits for heart and arterial function.

## Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the cardiovascular and renal outcomes associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes, focusing on findings from randomized controlled trials. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Seven high-quality trials met the inclusion criteria, with a combined focus on major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), heart failure hospitalizations, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, and renal function decline. SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing heart failure and renal outcomes, while GLP-1 receptor agonists were more effective in preventing MACE and improving glycemic control. Combination therapy showed potential additive benefits, particularly in improving myocardial and arterial function. The findings highlight the complementary roles of these drug classes, underscoring the importance of personalized therapy based on individual patient profiles. Further research, including long-term head-to-head trials, is warranted to validate these results and optimize treatment strategies.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** type 2 diabetes (MONDO:0005148), heart failure (MONDO:0005252), cardiovascular disease (MONDO:0004995)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** GLP1R (glucagon like peptide 1 receptor) [NCBI Gene 2740] {aka GLP-1, GLP-1-R, GLP-1R}, SLC5A2 (solute carrier family 5 member 2) [NCBI Gene 6524] {aka SGLT2}
- **Diseases:** renal function decline (MESH:D060825), heart failure (MESH:D006333), Type 2 Diabetes (MESH:D003924)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

24 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12009492/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12009492