Orv Hetil. 2026 Feb 15;167(7):257-264. doi: 10.1556/650.2026.33487. Print 2026 Feb 15.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Heart failure remains one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, impairing the quality of life. Based on randomized, controlled clinical trials, SGLT2 inhibitors significantly improve outcomes and reduce symptoms. However, real-world evidence is essential to better assess their effectiveness and safety in everyday clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of empagliflozin therapy on the quality of life and functional status, as well as to assess its safety profile in the Hungarian cohort of the international Emp-Activity study, covering the full spectrum of heart failure.
METHOD: This prospective, non-interventional, multicenter, observational study involved symptomatic heart failure patients enrolled from 11 Hungarian centers. A total of 106 patients were enrolled, of whom 101 were assigned to the empagliflozin cohort and 5 to the non-empagliflozin cohort. Patients received empagliflozin as part of routine heart failure therapy and completed the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) at baseline and after 24 weeks. Functional status was assessed using the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification.
RESULTS: 101 patients were enrolled to the empagliflozin cohort (median age 69 years, 28.7% female), primarily in NYHA class II and III. Among them, 57% had HFrEF, 19% HFmrEF, and 22% HFpEF. The most frequent etiology was ischemic heart disease (42%). The most common comorbidities included hypertension (58%), atrial fibrillation (33%), diabetes mellitus (26%), and hyperlipidemia (25%). A significant improvement was observed in the KCCQ-12 overall score (74.3 ± 19.5 vs. 67.1 ± 19.5, p<0.01), with clinically meaningful improvement (≥5-point increment) in 53% of patients. The NYHA class improved significantly. Systolic blood pressure decreased (131 ± 16 mmHg vs. 127 ± 17 mmHg, p = 0.02), while diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, and potassium levels remained stable during the 24-week follow-up.
CONCLUSION: In Hungarian patients with heart failure, 24-week empagliflozin treatment resulted in significant improvements in the quality of life and functional capacity, while being well tolerated. These findings support the effectiveness and safety of empagliflozin in routine clinical practice across the full spectrum of heart failure. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(7): 257-264.
PMID:41691592 | DOI:10.1556/650.2026.33487