Background/aim: This editorial is aimed at providing a reference for the pharmacological treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes and glomerul filtration rate (eGFR)<60 ml/min, as recommended by the new Italian guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its 2023-Update. Methods and results: the present paper revised the recently published Italian guidelines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (outpatients) and its update, either in primary care or specialist referral. The guideline has been developed following the methods described in the Manual of the National Guideline System (http://www.snlg-iss.it) by a panel nominated by the Società Italiana di Diabetologia (SID) and Associazione Medici Diabetologi (AMD).
Available literature on nutritional therapy showed a greater efficacy of SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) in reducing the risk of incident micro and macrovascular complications in patients with chronic renal disease. As second-line treatment, metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are to be preferred in comparison with other molecules. Insulin-secretagogues are not indicated for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes, including those with renal insufficiency. Conclusions: The present paper illustrates the recommendations of the Italian guidelines (and its 2023-update) for the treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with eGFR<60 ml/min. In synthesis, the panel suggests SGLT-2i as first line therapy and metformin and GLP-1RA as second-line options. The other glucose-lowering agents should be considered only as third-line treatments. Insulin-secretagogues are no more indicated as therapeutic option for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes.