Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are an emerging class of oral hypoglycaemic agents with therapeutic benefits beyond better glycaemic control. A major concern of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors is their propensity to cause euglycaemic ketoacidosis in the peri-operative period and the potential for this critical diagnosis to be delayed or missed entirely. This review attempts to collate the case reports of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor ketoacidosis associated with surgery to highlight and put a perspective on this peri-operative issue. Preventive strategies and the management of the ketoacidosis are discussed.

Objective: To explore the key motivators behind selection of analgesics (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol and complementary medications (CMs)) by patients with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: A qualitative study, in which in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 OA patients, recruited from four general practices in Sydney, Australia. Patients were aged 65 or above, and were currently taking, or had recently taken, an NSAID for osteoarthritis.Results: Three key themes emerged from the data: reliance, routine and pill load. Reliance: Patients were strongly reliant upon NSAIDs because they consistently satisfied their needs. By contrast, they were much less reliant upon paracetamol because of uncertainty or scepticism about its effectiveness. They were not reliant upon CMs but were willing to take them indefinitely because they were perceived as being without risk. Routine and pill load: Many patients took an NSAID, as well as CMs as part of a 'daily routine'. By contrast, patients had difficulty developing a routine around using paracetamol at the recommended maximum dose because of the implicit frequency of dosing required and an aversion to the associated 'pill load'. Conclusion:The results highlight the importance of exploring the perceptions and preferences of patients with regard to analgesics for OA. Clinician advice regarding analgesia for OA should take account of the possible reliance of the patient upon an NSAID, their medicine routines, and their potential concern about the pill load associated, in particular, with paracetamol.

Background: Guidelines differ with regard to indications for initial combination pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes. Aims: To compare the efficacy and safety of (i) sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor combination therapy in treatment-naïve type 2 diabetes adults; (ii) initial high and low dose SGLT2 inhibitor combination therapy. Methods: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of initial SGLT2 combination therapy. Mean difference (MD) for changes from baseline (HbA1c, weight, blood pressure) after 24–26 weeks of treatment and relative risks (RR, safety) were calculated using a random-effects model. Risk of bias and quality of evidence was assessed. Results: In 4 RCTs (n = 3749) there was moderate quality evidence that SGLT2 inhibitor/metformin combination therapy resulted in a greater reduction in HbA1c (MD (95% CI); −0.55% (−0.67, −0.43)) and weight (−2.00 kg (−2.34, −1.66)) compared with metformin monotherapy, and a greater reduction in HbA1c (−0.59% (−0.72, −0.46)) and weight (−0.57 kg (−0.89, −0.25)) compared with SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy. The high dose SGLT2 inhibitor/metformin combination resulted in a similar HbA1c but greater weight reduction; −0.47 kg (−0.88, −0.06) than the low dose combination therapy. The RR of genital infection with combination therapy was 2.22 (95% CI 1.33, 3.72) and 0.69 (95% CI 0.50, 0.96) compared with metformin and SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy, respectively. The RR of diarrhoea was 2.23 (95% CI 1.46, 3.40) with combination therapy compared with SGLT2 inhibitor monotherapy. Conclusions: Initial SGLT2 inhibitor/metformin combination therapy has glycaemic and weight benefits compared with either agent alone and appears relatively safe. High dose SGLT2 inhibitor/metformin combination therapy appears to have modest weight, but no glycaemic benefits compared with the low dose combination therapy.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a major advance in the fields of diabetology, nephrology, and cardiology. The cardiovascular and renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors are likely largely independent of their glycaemic effects, and this understanding is central to the use of these agents in the high-risk population of people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. There are a number of potential safety issues associated with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors. These include the rare but serious risks of diabetic ketoacidosis and necrotising fasciitis of the perineum. The data regarding a possibly increased risk of lower limb amputation and fracture with SGLT2 inhibitor therapy are conflicting. This article aims to explore the potential safety issues associated with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors, with a particular focus on the safety of these drugs in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. We discuss strategies that clinicians can implement to minimise the risk of adverse effects including diabetic ketoacidosis and volume depletion. Risk mitigation strategies with respect to SGLT2 inhibitor-associated diabetic ketoacidosis are of particular importance during the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

there is a need for greater recognition of these 'modes of disengagement'/'hazard modulation' in order to attain a clinical response leading to safer, more effective and more ethical use of medicines.

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Aim To evaluate the use of pneumonia severity scores for diagnosing community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to assess whether antibiotic prescribing was compliant with guidelines as determined by the calculated pneumonia severity score. Method A retrospective chart review was undertaken of consecutive adults admitted via the emergency department with a diagnosis of CAP during a 6‐month period. Charts were reviewed for symptoms and radiographic evidence of pneumonia and for recorded pneumonia severity scores. Pneumonia severity scores were calculated using CORB, CURB‐65 and SMART‐COP for patients with available data and used to assess compliance with the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic. Results Of the 204 patients reviewed Of the 204 patients reviewed CURB‐65 and SMART‐COP scores for the remaining 68 patients, 13 (19%), 3 (4.4%) and 1 (3.6%) patients had severe pneumonia. 93% of patients received ceftriaxone. An average of 8% of patients were prescribed antibiotics compliant with the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic. Compliance varied with the pneumonia severity scoring tool used. Conclusion Pneumonia severity scores were rarely calculated to guide treatment and antibiotic prescribing for CAP. Compliance with the Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic was poor and varied with the pneumonia severity scoring tool used. An easy‐to‐use pneumonia severity score to guide patient admission and choice of antibiotic is needed.