Grant: Operating Grant

Incretins are intestinal hormones that help regulate blood glucose levels. The newest medications approved in Canada to treat type 2 diabetes, called 'incretin-based therapies', work by either enhancing or directly mimicking the regulatory effects of the body's natural incretins. Antidiabetic medications are studied thoroughly before they are approved for use. However, a drug's potential to cause unintended side effects - and even any beneficial effects it might have on reducing the complications of diabetes long-term (such as cardiovascular disease) - are unknown when the drug is first marketed. Given the increasing popularity of incretin-based medications for type 2 diabetes, an evaluation of the postmarketing safety and effectiveness of these agents is essential. We propose to study the real world safety and effectiveness of incretin-based medications using a database of detailed healthcare records for individuals with type 2 diabetes including information on: prescription medication use, diagnoses made by general practitioners and specialists, laboratory tests performed by health care providers (e.g., cholesterol levels, kidney function), and hospitalizations and death. We will use the information in the database to assess the risks and benefits of using incretin-based therapies compared to other commonly used antidiabetic therapies. Our study will contribute to an understanding of the real world effects of the newest medications to treat type 2 diabetes and will help patients, clinicians, and policymakers assess the overall risks and benefits of these medications.