Introduction & Objective: There are various unmet needs for anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME). We previously reported that using sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) reduced the frequency of anti-VEGF agent administration through observational studies. However, no interventional studies have been conducted.
Methods: Sixty patients with DME were enrolled and divided into an SGLT2i group (SG) treated with luseogliflozin and a control group treated with glimepiride. Ranibizumab (R) was first administered to the eyes with more severe DME (target eyes); hypoglycemic drugs were started simultaneously. R was administered for 48 weeks to the target eyes according to regulations, and companion eyes in cases of bilateral DME received regular medical treatment. The doses of R were evaluated using analysis of covariance.
Results: A total of 54 patients were analyzed. We found no intergroup differences in ophthalmological parameters and the number of R injections of the target eyes (Table). Significant decreases in central thickness of retina and number of R injections were observed for the companion eyes in the SG group.
Conclusion: The pre-administration of SGLT2i reduced the frequency of anti-VEGF agent administration for mild DME.
R. Ishibashi: Research Support; Astellas Pharma Inc., Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. M. Koshizaka: None. Y. Takatsuna: None. T. Tatsumi: Research Support; Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd. Advisory Panel; Astellas Pharma Inc. S. Yamamoto: None. K. Yokote: Research Support; Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Kowa Company, Ltd. Speaker's Bureau; Kowa Company, Ltd., Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Novo Nordisk, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Daiichi Sankyo.
