Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and erythrocytosis: a review

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a class of anti-hyperglycaemic agents widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They function by reducing renal glucose reabsorption and thereby promote urinary glucose excretion, resulting in improvement in glycaemic control. In large-scale clinical trials, SGLT2i have been shown to reduce cardiovascular mortality, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke significantly. In addition, clinical evidence suggests that they are renal protective as their use reduces the relative risk of end-stage renal disease and death from renal causes. These positive results have led to a rapid uptake of SGLT2i in clinical practice. Recently, clinical studies and case reports have suggested a link between SGLT2i therapy and erythrocytosis. The authors discuss possible mechanisms at cellular level that may cause erythrocytosis and explore its clinical relevance in people living with T2DM who are taking SGLT2i therapy.