Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for treatment of diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation

Adley Lemke, Hannah M. Brokmeier, Sarah B. Leung, Kristin C. Mara, Girish K. Mour, Hani M. Wadei, Jennifer M. Hill, Mark Stegall, Yogish C. Kudva, Pankaj Shah, Aleksandra Kukla

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus in kidney transplant recipients is a risk factor for cardiovascular events and premature death. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are increasingly used in nontransplant populations to improve diabetes control and cardiovascular and renal benefits. Limited literature exists regarding the safety and efficacy of these agents in renal transplant recipients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all kidney transplant recipients within our health system who were prescribed a SGLT2i after transplantation for diabetes. The safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of SGLT2i were analyzed. Results: Thirty-nine kidney transplant recipients were initiated on SGLT2i therapy, twenty-seven of which remained on therapy for at least 1 year. Ten (25%) patients experienced an adverse event while on a SGLT2i, with urinary tract infections (UTI) being the most common. Seventeen patients (43%) discontinued the SGLT2i at the time of chart review, most commonly due to cost and kidney function decline. The median [IQR] hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at SGLT2i initiation of 8.4% [7.8–9.2] decreased to 7.5% [6.8–8.0%] after 3 months and 7.5% [6.5–7.9] after 12 months. No meaningful change in kidney function or tacrolimus exposure was observed. Conclusion: SGLT2i may be a safe and effective treatment for diabetes in kidney transplant recipients. Cost is a barrier to SGLT2i therapy, and UTIs were the most frequently encountered adverse events in this cohort. More studies are needed to understand the safety profile and determine the effect of SGLT2i on diabetes-related comorbidities among kidney transplant recipients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere14718
JournalClinical Transplantation
Volume36
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2022

Keywords

  • diabetes mellitus
  • kidney transplant
  • post-transplant diabetes mellitus
  • sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Transplantation

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