Lower risks of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors compared to dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitors for new-onset hip fracture risks in patients with type-2 diabetes: A propensity score-matched study with competing risk analysis

PurposeThis study aimed to compare the effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2I) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4I) on new-onset hip fractures. MethodsThis was a retrospective population-based cohort study including type-2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with either SGLT2I or DPP4I between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2020 in Hong Kong. The primary outcome was new-onset hip fracture and the secondary outcome was all-cause mortality. Propensity score matching (1:1 ratio) using the nearest neighbour search was performed. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression were applied to identify significant predictors. Competing risks models and multiple approaches using the propensity score were performed. ResultsThis cohort included 56393 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (median age: 62.1 years old [interquantile range, IQR]: 54.2-71.1; 57.45% males), of which 20432 patients ([incidence rate, IR]: 36.23%) used SGLT2I and 35961 patients (IR: 63.77%) used DPP4I. After the 1:1 propensity score matching, 449 (IR: 1.09%) patients had hip fractures, and 2012 patients (IR: 4.92%) died. SGLT2I was associated with significantly lower risks of hip fractures after adjusting for the demographics, past comorbidities, non-SGLT2I/DPP4I medications and laboratory results (hazard ratio: 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.42-0.89; P=0.0036). The results were consistent in the competing risk models and the different propensity matching approaches. ConclusionsSGLT2I was associated with lower risks of new-onset hip fractures after propensity score matching and adjustments. SummaryThis study compared the risks of hip fractures in between users of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2I) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors in type-2 diabetes mellitus. After propensity score matching, SGLT2I was associated with lower risks of hip fractures adjusting for confounders (hazard ratio: 0.55; 95% confidence interval: 0.42-0.89; P=0.0036).