People with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease receiving the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor empagliflozin (Jardiance) were less likely to die than those taking placebo according to a landmark trial reported at EASD in Stockholm last week.

Published simultaneously in the NEJM the EMPA-REG OUTCOME study of over 7,000 people showed that while there were no significant between-group differences in the rates of myocardial infarction or stroke, in the empagliflozin group there were significantly lower rates of death from cardiovascular causes.

Empagliflozin prevented one in three cardiovascular deaths, with a significant 38% relative risk reduction in cardiovascular mortality, as well as a significant 32% relative reduction in all-cause mortality.

However the numbers could not be extrapolated to patient populations with other clinical characteristics, the researchers warned.

Among patients receiving empagliflozin, there was an increased rate of genital infection but no increase in other adverse events.

“Our trial provides data to support the longterm use of empagliflozin, as well as strong evidence for a reduction in cardiovascular risk,” the researchers concluded.

The study was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly, makers of Jardiance.

To read the full paper click here.