Efficacy and Safety of Ertugliflozin Compared to Placebo in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: No comprehensive meta-analysis has evaluated the efficacy and safety of ertugliflozin compared to a placebo in patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D) until now. This meta-analysis fills this gap in knowledge. Methods: A systematic search was carried out in electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included patients with T2D receiving ertugliflozin in the treatment group and placebo in the control group. The change in HbA1c from the baseline values was the primary outcome, whereas changes in plasma glucose and other metabolic parameters and adverse events (AEs), including hypoglycemia, were the secondary outcomes. Results: Seven RCTs involving 7283 subjects met the inclusion criteria. Ertugliflozin outperformed placebo in reducing HbA1c in both 5 mg (MD -0.62%, 95% CI [-0.80, -0.44], p<0.00001, I2=91%) and 15 mg (MD -0.69%, 95% CI [-0.91, -0.47], p<0.00001, I2=93%) doses. A higher proportion of patients achieved HbA1c<7.0% with ertugliflozin than with placebo. Ertugliflozin was also superior to placebo in lowering fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Ertugliflozin and placebo had comparable AE profiles, including urinary tract infection (UTI) and hypoglycemia, except for the greater risk of genital mycotic infections (GMIs) with ertugliflozin. Ertugliflozin 5 and 15 mg have equivalent efficacy and safety profiles except for greater weight reduction with ertugliflozin 15 mg. Conclusion: Ertugliflozin has a good glycemic efficacy and a reassuring safety profile in managing T2D.