Slope of change in HbA(1c) from baseline with empagliflozin compared with sitagliptin or glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes

AIMS: To analyse the effect of baseline glycated haemoglobin (HbA(1c)) on the reduction in HbA(1c) with empagliflozin compared with sitagliptin or glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using regression analyses of individual patient data from two Phase III studies, we compared the change in HbA(1c) according to a unit change in baseline HbA(1c) (the slope) with empagliflozin 10 mg or 25 mg vs sitagliptin (monotherapy) after 24 weeks, and with empagliflozin 25 mg vs glimepiride (as add‐on to metformin) after 52 weeks. RESULTS: Steeper slopes of HbA1c decline were observed with empagliflozin 10 or 25 mg vs sitagliptin monotherapy at week 24. Regression analysis showed slopes of −0.59 (95% CI −0.70, −0.47), −0.49 (95% CI −0.62, −0.37) and −0.29 (95% CI −0.42, −0.15) for empagliflozin 10 mg, empagliflozin 25 mg and sitagliptin, respectively (P < .001 and P < .05 for empagliflozin 10 mg and empagliflozin 25 mg, respectively, vs sitagliptin). Similarly, a steeper slope of HbA(1c) decline was observed with empagliflozin 25 mg vs glimepiride as add‐on to metformin at week 52. Regression analysis showed slopes of − 0.52 (95% CI −0.59, −0.44) and −0.32 (95% CI −0.39, −0.25) for empagliflozin 25 mg and glimepiride, respectively (P < .001 for empagliflozin 25 mg vs glimepiride). CONCLUSIONS: Incremental reductions in HbA(1c) with increasing baseline HbA(1c) are greater with empagliflozin compared with sitagliptin or glimepiride in patients with type 2 diabetes.