OBJECTIVES

: Sodium-glucose transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are widely used for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Systematic reviews related to the SGLT2 inhibitors are seen in literature so often. An overlap publication might be highly suspected. Therefore, we will conduct an overview of the systematic reviews (SRs) to disclose the real world.

METHODS

: We searched relevant articles using Medline database until October 2019. A total of 109 articles were retrieved as SRs related to the SGLT2. We extracted nationality of the lead author, journal name, subtitle (systematic review, meta-analysis, network meta-analysis, pooled analysis), subject (SGLT2 as a class, an individual SGLT2 drug, multiple classes of diabetic drugs), outcome (blood glucose, body weight, blood pressure, hypoglycemia, cardiovascular, urinary tract infection, genital infection). An overlap publication was captured by a coincidence rate in conclusions among the SRs with every outcome.

RESULTS

: Out of 109 SRs of the SGLT2, Chinese authors published 47 of them (43%), followed by United States (20; 18%). The SR articles have been published in 50 different journals. Among them, “Diabetes Obesity Metabolism” published 20 of them (18.3%). “Medicine” which published 5 SR articles was all written by Chinese authors. Regarding subtitle by subject, network meta-analysis was mostly conducted in multiple classes of drugs. Pooled analysis was limited to the SR with an individual SGLT2 drug. Coincidence rates in conclusions among the SRs were calculated to be 75% (blood glucose), 77% (body weight), 84% (cardiovascular), 74% (hypoglycemia), 56% (urinary tract infection), and 92% (genital infection).

CONCLUSIONS

: A high coincidence in conclusions was confirmed for various outcomes among SRs related to the SGLT2. It highly suspects an overlap in publication. Cross-validation among journals may be quite difficult, but some system like an overview of SRs may be necessary to avoid overlap publications.