Comparison of the Effects of Empagliflozin and Metformin on Treatment Satisfaction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Moeinizadeh, Saman

doi:10.22034/edus.2025.568937.1082

Comparison of the Effects of Empagliflozin and Metformin on Treatment Satisfaction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Saman Moeinizadeh

Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

10.22034/edus.2025.568937.1082

Abstract

Background and Objective: Among the effective medications for lowering blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, SGLT2 inhibitors and biguanides are widely used. However, limited information is available regarding their effects on treatment satisfaction and their direct comparison. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of empagliflozin (as an SGLT2 inhibitor) and metformin (a biguanide) on treatment satisfaction in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 middle-aged male patients with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected from the Diabetes Association Center of Sistan and Baluchestan and assigned into three groups: empagliflozin (n = 10), metformin (n = 10), and control (n = 10). Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) developed by Bradley (1994). Patients in the empagliflozin group received a daily dose of 100 mg for three months, while patients in the metformin group received up to 1500 mg/day for 8 to 12 weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post hoc test.
Results: The results indicated a significant difference in treatment satisfaction among the study groups. Additionally, treatment satisfaction in the metformin group was significantly higher than that in the empagliflozin and control groups (P = 0.038 and P = 0.006, respectively). Furthermore, treatment satisfaction in the empagliflozin group was significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.003).
Conclusion: Considering the effects of empagliflozin and metformin on treatment satisfaction, it can be concluded that the use of these medications may serve as a practical approach to improving patients’ satisfaction with their treatment

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Keywords

SGLT2 inhibitors

Biguanides

Treatment satisfaction

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Ethics Approval ID: IR.ZAUMS.REC.1390.325