Comparative effect of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors on laboratory parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects on laboratory parameters among monotherapy with five DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: We identified cohorts of new sitagliptin users (n = 879), vildagliptin users (n = 253), teneligliptin users (n = 260), alogliptin users (n = 237), and linagliptin users (n = 180) in patients with type 2 DM. We used a multivariate regression model to evaluate and compare the effects of the drugs on laboratory parameters including HbA1c concentration and serum concentrations of creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase among the five DPP-4 inhibitors up to 12 months. RESULTS: Our study showed a favorable effect on HbA1c concentration and a slightly unfavorable effect on serum creatinine concentration in users of the five DPP-4 inhibitors, a favorable effect on lipid metabolism in sitagliptin, vildagliptin, and alogliptin users, and a favorable effect on hepatic parameters in sitagliptin, alogliptin, and linagliptin users, in comparison of the baseline and exposure periods. However, there was no significant difference in mean change in the concentration of any laboratory parameter among the five groups of DPP-4 inhibitor users. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we showed the effect of five DPP-4 inhibitors on glycemic, renal, and lipid metabolism, and hepatic parameters. DPP-4 inhibitors are well-tolerated hypoglycemic drugs.