EFFECT OF SGLT2 INHIBITORS ON THE INCIDENCE OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background The incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who received Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2)inhibitors is disputable. Therefore, we performed this study. Objectives To investigate the effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors on the incidence of UTI among patients with T2DM and to find out the factors related to high risk of UTI. Materials and Methods This is a prospective cohort study that included 200 patients with T2DM attended private medical clinics in Sulaimanyah city, Kurdistan region, Iraq between 1st October 2022 and 30th April 2023. The participants were split into Non-SGLT-2 inhibitors & SGLT-2 inhibitors groups to collate the incidence of UTI. Results The incidence rate of UTI in the SGLT-2 inhibitors group was 17%, while it was 3% in the Non-SGLT-2 inhibitors group. Although the incidence rates of UTI were different between Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin treatment (70.6% and 29.4% respectively) statistically it was near significant (P value 0.06). Patients who received SGLT-2 inhibitors had a 5.67-fold higher risk of UTI in comparison to those who were on NonSGLT-2 inhibitors (95% CI 1.71-18.73). Furthermore, the only significant risk factor for UTI found in this research was a high level of glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c). Conclusion This study showed higher UTI incidence in patients with T2DM using Empagliflozin and Dapagliflozin compared with Non-SGLT-2 inhibitors. Furthermore, patients with high HbA1c >9% had a compelling higher risk of UTI when receiving SGLT-2 inhibitors.