Zhou X, Shi H, Zhu S, et al. - According to findings, the combination of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors with insulin was safe and effective in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, however, the protective impacts exerted by this treatment approach on renal and cardiovascular outcomes, as well as the roles of other DPP-4 inhibitors, require to be affirmed via more good-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

• A meta-analysis of RCTs was conducted.

• Five eligible studies (6 trials, 1,278 participants) offering moderate to high evidence were included.

• Relative to controls, there was smaller glycated hemoglobin (standardized mean difference (SMD) -0.29) and insulin dose (SMD -0.16) in the combination cure patients.

• No increase in adverse events, hypoglycemia, serious adverse events, or severe hypoglycemia was observed in relation to combination treatment vs controls.