A Longitudinal Study on Hematocrit Changes after Glifozins Exposure in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background and Methods: Gliflozins are widely prescribed drugs in patients with type 2 diabetes. We pursue to explain abnormal increments in red cell parameters observed in this population, by means of a longitudinal study in 149 patients with a gliflozins exposure period of 12±6 months. Red cell parameters, HbA1c and other variables were recorded. Results: HbA1c fraction decreased (-0.5±1.3, 95% CI: -0.7 to -0.3, p<0.001), while mean hemoglobin (0.5±0.9, 95% CI: 0.3 to 0.6, P<0.001) and hematocrit (1.6±2.6, 95% CI: 1.2 to 2.0, P<0.001) increased. Mean (SD) hematocrit increased 2.7±1.9 in 112 patients, and decreased -1.7±1.5 in 37 (p<0.001 for subgroup differences). The larger increments in PCV were proportional to higher plasma fraction at baseline (p=0.009). Conclusion: Red cell parameters after gliflozins exposure tend to increase and may reach abnormally high thresholds in some patients with type 2 diabetes.