AUTHOR=Agarwal Shubham , Basit Mujeeb A. , Bowen Michael E. , Heitjan Daniel F. , Mai Christine , Marble Kelsea , Pak Jonathan , Xiang Zichang , Lingvay Ildiko 

TITLE=Factors influencing the selection of an SGLT2i vs. a GLP-1RA as cardioprotective agent in patients with type 2 diabetes

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1606198

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2025.1606198

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=PurposeSodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated cardioprotective effects in people with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In this patient group, there is treatment equipoise, from the standpoint of cardiovascular effect between these medication classes; however, factors associated with prescribing are poorly characterized.MethodsWe performed a retrospective real-world analysis by creating an electronic health record registry of people with type 2 diabetes and ASCVD (without additional indications for a specific cardioprotective class) who received a prescription for either an SGLT2i or GLP-1RA. We analyzed patient-, provider-, and clinical encounter-related predictors of being prescribed an SGLT2i or GLP-1RA using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total of 573 eligible patients received either SGLT2i (N = 274) or GLP-1RA (N = 299) between January 2019 and October 2024. Care in cardiology (OR = 4.78; 95% CI, 2.53–9.04) strongly predicted SGLT2i prescription. Care in endocrinology (OR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.23–0.68), higher BMI (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88–0.95, per BMI unit), and a higher recent estimated glomerular filtration (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.96–0.99, per eGFR unit) predicted GLP-1RA prescription. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the model was 0.78.ConclusionPrescriber's specialty strongly determined the selection of cardioprotective agents. Treatment guidelines should provide more specific guidance regarding patient selection and consider the holistic benefits of each drug class beyond their cardiovascular protective effects.