Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate

Ghulam Abbas  Shaikh; Samina  Yaqoob; Abdul Rafey Ayaz; Amisha  Kumari; Muhammad Khizer   Molani; Ayesha  Azhar; Eisha  Nawaz

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

J Pub Health Comm Med. 2025; 4(2): 45-49

doi: 10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate

Ghulam Abbas Shaikh, Samina Yaqoob, Abdul Rafey Ayaz, Amisha Kumari, Muhammad Khizer Molani, Ayesha Azhar, Eisha Nawaz.

Abstract
Background: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a chronic condition with high morbidity and mortality. Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are emerging as a foundational therapy in HFrEF. However, real-world data on their safety and tolerability in tropical climates remain limited.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SGLT2 inhibitors among HFrEF patients in Karachi, Pakistan, a city with a hot and humid climate.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on 100 patients with HFrEF who were taking SGLT2 inhibitors for at least three months. Adverse effects were recorded using standardized questionnaires and clinical evaluations.

Results: The mean patient age was 56 ± 13 years, with 54% male. Overall, 34% of patients reported side effects. The most frequent were postural hypotension and urinary tract infections (13% each), followed by dehydration (10%). Rehospitalization due to worsening heart failure symptoms occurred in 26% of patients during the study period. Despite these adverse effects, 88% of patients remained compliant with treatment.

Conclusion: SGLT2 inhibitors are generally safe and well-tolerated among HFrEF patients in warm, humid climates when used with proactive monitoring. Our findings support their integration into treatment protocols for this patient population.

Key words: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, tolerability, tropical climate, safety.

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How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Shaikh GA, Yaqoob S, Ayaz AR, Kumari A, Molani MK, Azhar A, Nawaz E. Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2025; 4(2): 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Web Style

Shaikh GA, Yaqoob S, Ayaz AR, Kumari A, Molani MK, Azhar A, Nawaz E. Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. https://www.wisdomgale.com/jphcm/?mno=252751 [Access: June 27, 2026].

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Shaikh GA, Yaqoob S, Ayaz AR, Kumari A, Molani MK, Azhar A, Nawaz E. Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. J Pub Health Comm Med. 2025; 4(2): 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Shaikh GA, Yaqoob S, Ayaz AR, Kumari A, Molani MK, Azhar A, Nawaz E. Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. J Pub Health Comm Med. (2025), [cited June 27, 2026]; 4(2): 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Harvard Style

Shaikh, G. A., Yaqoob, . S., Ayaz, . A. R., Kumari, . A., Molani, . M. K., Azhar, . A. & Nawaz, . E. (2025) Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. J Pub Health Comm Med, 4 (2), 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Turabian Style

Shaikh, Ghulam Abbas, Samina Yaqoob, Abdul Rafey Ayaz, Amisha Kumari, Muhammad Khizer Molani, Ayesha Azhar, and Eisha Nawaz. 2025. Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 4 (2), 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

Chicago Style

Shaikh, Ghulam Abbas, Samina Yaqoob, Abdul Rafey Ayaz, Amisha Kumari, Muhammad Khizer Molani, Ayesha Azhar, and Eisha Nawaz. "Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 4 (2025), 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Shaikh, Ghulam Abbas, Samina Yaqoob, Abdul Rafey Ayaz, Amisha Kumari, Muhammad Khizer Molani, Ayesha Azhar, and Eisha Nawaz. "Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate." Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine 4.2 (2025), 45-49. Print.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Shaikh, G. A., Yaqoob, . S., Ayaz, . A. R., Kumari, . A., Molani, . M. K., Azhar, . A. & Nawaz, . E. (2025) Safety and Tolerability of SGLT2 Inhibitors in HFrEF: A Prospective Study in a Tropical Climate. Journal of Public Health and Community Medicine, 4 (2), 45-49.

doi:10.5455/JPHCM.20250415090154