Efficacy of Empagliflozin in Slowing the Progression of Renal Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Single-Blind Interventional Study with Placebo Control at Tertiary Care Setting Quetta

Zarafshan Khan; Ashfaq Altaf; Syed Jahanzaib; Muhammad Umair Ijaz; Nadeem Fazal; Ayesha Ikhlaq

doi:10.37185/LnS.1.1.870

Zarafshan Khan Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), Quetta, Pakistan
Ashfaq Altaf Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), Quetta, Pakistan
Syed Jahanzaib Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), Quetta, Pakistan
Muhammad Umair Ijaz Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences (QIMS), Quetta, Pakistan
Nadeem Fazal Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Ayesha Ikhlaq Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.870

Keywords: Chronic, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Diabetic Nephropathies, Empagliflozin, Renal Insufficiency, Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of SGLT2 Inhibitor, Empagliflozin, in slowing renal disease progression in type 2
diabetics.
Study Design: Single-blind interventional study with placebo control.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Nephrology, Combined Military
Hospital (CMH), Quetta, Pakistan from July 2023 to July 2024.
Methods: This was an experimental study with placebo controlinvolving 100 type 2 diabetics (N=100), who
were assigned to receive either Empagliflozin (10 mg OD) or a placebo. Estimated glomerular filtration rate
(eGFR) by (CKD-EPI Formula), HbA1C levels, and Urine Protein Creatinine Ratio (UPCR) were measured at 0, 3,
and 6 months. Improvement in GFR and reduction in proteinuria & HbA1C levels were taken as primary
objectives. Three mixed-design analyses of variance over time (baseline, 3 months, 6 months) conducted for
significance.
Results: Average age was 57.44 ± 10.48 years. The treatment group had 47 patients, and the placebo group had
53 patients. The treatment group showed a lesser reduction in mean eGFR (70.94mL/min to 68.56mL/min)
than the placebo group (69.60mL/min to 62.11mL/min). The treatment group showed a greater decrease in
HbA1c levels (8.36% to 7.36%) than the placebo (8.30% to 8.01%). Proteinuria was reduced in the treatment
group (2.51 g/day to 1.28 g/day) compared to an increase in the placebo group (2.66 g/day to 3.17 g/day). All
findings were statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: In type 2 diabetics, addition of empagliflozin to standardized care resulted in a greater reduction in
proteinuria, greater reduction in HbA1c levels, and lesser decline in eGFR, signifying the beneficial effects of the
drug on glycemic control and prevention of renal deterioration.

How to cite this: Khan Z, Altaf A, Jhanzaib S, Ijaz MU, Fazal, N, Ikhlaq A. Efficacy of Empagliflozin in Slowing the Progression of Renal Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Single-Blind Interventional Study with Placebo Control at Tertiary Care Setting Quetta. Life and Science. 2025; 6(4): 522-527. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.870