DPP-4 Inhibitor Treatment in Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess the comprehensive clinical efficacy of dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-4) inhibitors in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients and to evaluate whether there is a different response to treatment with different kinds of DPP-4 inhibitors in those patients. Methods: Databases were systematically searched, and qualifying clinical studies of Chinese type 2 diabetes patients were included. Results: A total of 30 studies were included. Treatment with saxagliptin resulted in a significantly greater change from baseline in HbA1c levels (weighted mean difference [WMD], −1.28%; 95% CI, −1.37% to −1.19%); treatment with sitagliptin led to a significantly greater change from baseline (WMD, −1.17%; 95% CI, −1.46% to −0.89%); treatment with vildagliptin was associated with a significantly greater change in HbA1c levels (WMD, −0.77%; 95% CI, −0.88% to −0.65%); treatment with linagliptin led to a significantly greater change (WMD, −0.84%; 95% CI, −0.92% to −0.75%); and treatment with alogliptin also led to a significantly greater change (WMD, −0.91%; 95% CI, −1.48% to −0.33%). In terms of body weight, treatment with saxagliptin was associated with no significant decreases in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients (WMD, −0.17 kg, 95% CI, −4.26 to 3.92 kg). Treatment with sitagliptin and linagliptin was also associated with no significant changes in body weight (WMD, 0.16 and 0.11 kg, respectively, P > 0.05). Conclusions: In Chinese type 2 diabetes patients, the efficacy of glucose control in all five kinds of DPP-4 inhibitor treatments was well confirmed, and no significant change in body weight was found.