Online searches for SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists correlate with prescription rates in the United States: An infodemiological study

Abstract

Several clinical trials have demonstrated that many SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent reports indicate an underutilization of new cardiometabolic drugs, including SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA. We aimed to evaluate the use of online search volumes to reflect United States prescription rates. A repeated cross-sectional analysis of Google search volumes and corresponding data from the IQVIA National Prescription Audit (NPA) of pharmacy dispensing of newly prescribed drugs was performed. Monthly data for online searches and prescription between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021 were collected for selected SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA. Prescription data for drugs classes (SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA) and individual drugs were calculated as the total of queried data for branded drug names. Trends were analyzed for visual and quantitative correlation as well as predictive patterns. Overall, online searches increased by 157.6% (95% CI: 142.2–173.1%) and 295.2% (95% CI: 257.7–332.6%) for SGLT2i and GLP-1RA between 2016 and 2021. Prescription rates raised by 114.6% (95% CI: 110.8–118.4%) and 221.0% (95% CI: 212.1–229.9%) for SGLT2i and GLP-1RA for this period. Correlation coefficients (range 0.86–0.99) were strongest for drugs with growing number of prescriptions, for example dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, dulaglutide, and semaglutide. Online searches might represent an additional tool to monitor the utilization trends of cardiometabolic drugs. Associations were strongest for drugs with reported cardioprotective effect. Thus, trends in online searches complement conventionally acquired data to reflect and forecast prescription trends of cardiometabolic drugs.

Pancreatitis in a 57-Year-Old Female Two Weeks After Initiation of Empagliflozin

“… 16 Between January 2016 and December 2021, prescriptions for SGLT2 inhibitors increased by 115%. 17 With the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of SGLT2 inhibitors for heart failure with midrange ejection fraction in 2022, the prescription frequency is thought to increase further in the coming years. With the increasing use, it is important to be mindful of the yet-to-be-fully-understood adverse effects of these medications, such as pancreatitis.…”

Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in the era of SGLT-2 inhibitors

“…Between 2015 to 2020, 63.2 million prescriptions for SGLT-2 inhibitors were dispensed, with annual prescriptions doubling over the 6 years 15. Another study reported a 114.6% increase in prescription rates between 2016 and 2021 16. This increase in SGLT-2 inhibitor use could be partially attributed to cardiologist interest after the EMPA-REG results.…”

“… 15 Another study reported a 114.6% increase in prescription rates between 2016 and 2021. 16 This increase in SGLT-2 inhibitor use could be partially attributed to cardiologist interest after the EMPA-REG results. The EMPA-REG Trial indicated cardiovascular benefit in heart failure with empagliflozin; subsequently, there has been a steady increase in the number of empagliflozin prescriptions (51.7% increase), while canagliflozin initiation trended down (75.1% decrease).…”

Popularity of Surgical and Pharmacological Obesity Treatment Methods Searched by Google Users: the Retrospective Analysis of Google Trends Statistics in 2004–2022

“…To date, no study compared the interest of Google users in different treatment methods for obesity. Previous papers using GT compared only bariatric surgery methods [ 10 , 11 ] or GLP-1 analogs [ 12 ]. We hypothesize that analysis of GT may present trends of the popularity of different methods: current surges and past fads.…”