Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Reduces the Risk of Developing Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids following Median Sternotomy in Diabetic Patients: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study Using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims of Japan.

Background: Hypertrophic scars and keloids, which are abnormalities of fibrosis, often occur in surgical wounds; however, their exact cause and preventive measures are unknown. The administration of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors to humans is expected to suppress fibrosis in wounds and minimize hypertrophic scar and keloid formation.

Methods: This study aimed to verify the suppressive effect of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors on the formation of hypertrophic scars or keloids using real world data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan.