Exploring the Role of Sitagliptin in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for the Elderly: A Narrative Review.

Abstract

The prevalence of diabetes has risen considerably among older adults around the globe. It is the primary contributor to death from cardiovascular (CV) disease and other medical comorbidities, as well as a major contributor to complications, deterioration in quality of life (QoL), and decline in physical and mental well-being in the elderly. One of the main challenges with aging is that islet cells become dysfunctional, and their glucose metabolism changes with increasing age. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are an effective treatment option for older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because they demonstrate better effects on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) within this age-group. Sitagliptin, a highly selective DPP-4 inhibitor, is effective both as a monotherapy and in conjunction with other oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) for managing T2DM. Sitagliptin treatment in the elderly has demonstrated lowering HbA1c levels by 0.5-1.1% while having beneficial effects on pancreatic β-cells and no significant incidence of hypoglycemia, compared to studies in which oral antidiabetic medications were administered. It has little to no effect on body weight, renal function, or lipid profiles. This narrative review aimed to gather and assess data from trials investigating the use of sitagliptin in the elderly.