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Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting: systematic review and meta-analysis

BMJ 2012; 344 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e1369 (Published 12 March 2012) Cite this as: BMJ 2012;344:e1369

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Re: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the clinical setting: systematic review and meta-analysis

The use of DPP-4 inhibitors is certainly on the rise, thanks to aggressive marketing of its benefits ie once daily dosing, weight neutrality and no risk of hypoglycaemia. This meta-analysis reassures DPP-4 users about its benefits and short and medium term safety. This group of drugs are effective alternatives for patients with type 2 diabetes for whom weight gain is a demotivating factor or who are troubled by hypogycaemic episodes. Also, this helps to postpone the use of insulin in patients who are intolerant to metformin or in whom metformin is contraindicated as most of the DPP-4s are licenced for use in low eGFR. Cost to the health care system is an issue, but it is too complex to calculate meaningfully in management of chronic diseases.

Competing interests: No competing interests

22 March 2012
Koteshwara Muralidhar
Consultant Diabetologist
Birmingham Community Healthcare
Birmingham B19 1HS