Background
One of the drugs which is commonly used in diabetic patients is Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Currently, the association between DPP-4 inhibitor and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome is not yet established. This study aims to analyze the potential association between DPP-4 inhibitor and the composite poor outcome of COVID-19.
Methods
We systematically searched the PubMed and Europe PMC database using specific keywords related to our aims until November 29th, 2020. All articles published on COVID-19 and DPP-4 inhibitor were retrieved. Statistical analysis was done using Review Manager 5.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 software.
Results
Our pooled analysis showed that DPP-4 inhibitor use was not associated with composite poor outcomes of COVID-19 [OR 1.09 (95% CI 0.93–1.28),
p
= 0.29,
I
2
= 0%, random-effect modelling], and its subgroup which comprised of severe COVID-19 [OR 1.07 (95% CI 0.87–1.31),
p
= 0.54,
I
2
= 0%, random-effect modelling], and mortality [OR 1.14 (95% CI 0.87–1.51),
p
= 0.35,
I
2
= 8%, random-effect modelling]. Meta-regression showed that the association was not influenced by age (
p
= 0.663), hypertension (
p
= 0.454), and admission blood glucose (
p
= 0.310). Subgroup analysis showed that the association was weaker in East Asian populations (OR 1.02) compared to European populations (OR 1.11).
Conclusion
DPP-4 inhibitor in diabetic patients did not alter the outcomes from COVID-19. Our study suggest that the use of DPP-4 inhibitor in COVID-19 patients with diabetes may still be continued according to the patients’ need.
Supplementary Information
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00777-4.