The Effect of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter‐2 Inhibitors on Hemoglobin A1c Variability and Acute Kidney Injury: A Causal Mediation Analysis

Abstract

ABSTRACTPurposeThe role of lower hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) variability in the effect of sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) on acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear. We compared AKI risk between SGLT2i and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors (DPP4i) initiators. Additionally, we aimed to explore the extent to which SGLT2i's influence on AKI risk is mediated by reducing long‐term HbA1c variability.MethodsUsing 2018–2022 year data in Yinzhou Regional Health Care Database, we included adult, type 2 diabetes patients who were new users of SGLT2i or DPP4i. The effect of SGLT2i versus DPP4i on AKI, HbA1c variability, and AKI through HbA1c variability was compared using inverse probability of treatment weighted Cox proportional hazards models, median regression models, and causal mediation analysis.ResultsWith a median follow‐up of 1.76 years, 19 717 adults (for SGLT2i, n = 6008; for DPP4i, n = 13 709) with type 2 diabetes were included. The adjusted hazard ratio for SGLT2i versus DPP4i was 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.64–0.98) for AKI. The adjusted differences in median HbA1c variability score (HVS) and HbA1c reduction were −16.67% (95% CI: −27.71% to −5.62%) and −1.98% (95% CI: −14.34% to 10.38%), respectively. Furthermore, lower AKI risk associated with SGLT2i was moderately mediated (22.77%) through HVS. The results remained consistent across various subgroups and sensitivity analyses.ConclusionsCompared to DPP4i, lower AKI risk associated with SGLT2i is moderately mediated through HbA1c variability. These findings enhance our understanding of the effect of SGLT2i on AKI and underscore the importance of considering HbA1c variability in diabetes treatment and management.