Impact of Canagliflozin Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life among People with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pooled Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes from Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Evidence from patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials may explain health-related behaviors observed in the real world. Objective The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the effect of treatment with canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, compared with placebo or sitagliptin on health-related quality-of-life outcomes in participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus from the clinical development program. Methods Patient-reported outcomes data from four randomized controlled trials of canagliflozin ( n = 2536) were pooled and analyzed to evaluate participants’ interest in continuing study medication; satisfaction with weight; and physical, mental, and emotional health after 26–52 weeks of treatment with canagliflozin vs. placebo or sitagliptin. Results Upon trial completion, participants treated with canagliflozin were more likely to express interest in continuing study medication than participants treated with placebo or sitagliptin [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.54 (1.19–1.99); p = 0.001]. Those treated with canagliflozin were also more likely to be satisfied with their weight and report favorable outcomes (score improvement or maintenance of good scores) related to physical and emotional health. Conclusions The results of this pooled analysis suggest that people with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with canagliflozin generally had positive experiences with treatment and improvements in health-related quality of life. Future research is needed to determine if these improvements result in improved type 2 diabetes mellitus management and treatment adherence. ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT01106625, NCT01106677, NCT01137812, NCT02025907.