Thiazolidinedione Use in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Few studies have investigated the effects of various antidiabetic agents on individuals with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study compared mortality, cardiovascular events and respiratory outcomes in individuals with both T2DM and COPD taking TZD vs. those not taking TZD. From Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, 12 856 propensity-score-matched TZD users and non-users were selected between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2012. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate the risks of investigated outcomes. Compared with non-use of TZD, the adjusted hazard ratios (95% CI) of TZD use were stroke 1.63 (1.21-2.18), coronary artery disease 1.55 (1.15-2.10), heart failure 1.61 (1.06-2.46), non-invasive positive pressure ventilation 1.82 (1.46-2.27), invasive mechanical ventilation 1.23 (1.09-1.37), bacterial pneumonia 1.55 (1.42-1.70), and lung cancer 1.71 (1.32-2.22), respectively. The stratified analysis disclosed that rosiglitazone, not pioglitazone, was associated with significantly higher risk of major cardiovascular events than TZD non-users. In patients with concomitant T2DM and COPD, TZD use was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular events, ventilation use, pneumonia, and lung cancer. Use of TZD in these patients should be supported by monitoring for cardiovascular and respiratory complications.

Automated summary

This study found that in patients with both T2DM and COPD, the use of TZD is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular events, ventilation use, pneumonia, and lung cancer. The study suggests that monitoring for cardiovascular and respiratory complications should be implemented when using TZD in these patients.