Clinical Practice Points – Annals on Call SGLT2 Inhibitors: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and Assessing the Risk for Gout With Sodium–Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. A Population-Based Cohort Study

Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors block the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, resulting in glucosuria and increased excretion of uric acid. In this lively podcast, the benefits and potential risks of these drugs are discussed. The research study assesses the association between SGLT2 inhibitor use and risk for gout.

Use this study and the podcast to answer the questions below:

  • How do SGLT2 inhibitors work? What benefits have been shown? What are the potential side effects?
  • The discussants address the importance of examining our diabetic patients' feet. Do you do this? Recall the last 5 patients with diabetes you've seen. Did you examine their feet? If not, why not? How can we do better? How might our practice be set up to ensure this happens?
  • What is Fournier gangrene? Who is at risk? What do the discussants suggest is important in reducing the risk?
  • How might SGLT2 inhibitors reduce risk for gout? What are the limitations of this observational study? The authors address these in the discussion.
  • Where should SGLT2 inhibitors fit into the management of type 2 diabetes?

Annals of Internal Medicine is the premier internal medicine academic journal published by the American College of Physicians (ACP). It is one of the most widely cited and influential specialty medical journals in the world.

Back to the March 2020 issue of ACP IMpact