Real-World Analysis of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Highlights

• Compared with kidney transplant recipients who did not receive sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, those treated with the medications had lower risks of experiencing kidney transplant failure, kidney transplant rejection, major adverse cardiac events, all-cause mortality, and genitourinary infections.
• Results from the study will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2023 November 1–November 5. 

Newswise — Philadelphia, PA (November 4, 2023) — Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors lower blood sugar levels and have additional beneficial effects on kidney and heart health for individuals with and without diabetes, but little is known about the safety and efficacy of these medications in kidney transplant recipients. Research that examined this will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2023 November 1–November 5.

For the study, investigators analyzed the electronic medical records of 3,450 adult kidney transplant recipients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors who were matched to 3,450 similar patients who did not receive SGLT2 inhibitors, using a statistical technique called propensity matching adjusted for demographic data, baseline heart disease and blood test.

Kidney transplant patients treated with SGLT2 inhibitors were 59%, 64%, 33%, and 40% less likely to experience kidney transplant rejection, kidney transplant failure, major adverse cardiac events, and mortality, respectively, over 3 years. They were also 44% less likely to experience urinary tract infections.

“To date, all major SGLT2 inhibitor studies have excluded kidney transplant patients. This study was the largest observational study demonstrating the benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with kidney transplants,” said corresponding author Nageen, Anwar, MD, of the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “This study is a big step towards qualifying transplant patients to benefit from the many positive effects of SGLT2 inhibitor use and sets the precedence for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the long-term kidney and cardiovascular outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitor therapy in kidney transplant patients.” 

Study: “Outcomes Associated with Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Real-World Analysis Using a Global Federated Database” 

The world’s premier nephrology meeting, ASN Kidney Week, brings together approximately 12,000 kidney professionals from across the world. The largest nephrology meeting provides participants with exciting and challenging opportunities to exchange knowledge, learn the latest scientific and medical advances, and listen to engaging and provocative discussions with leading experts in the field.

About ASN

Since 1966, ASN has been leading the fight to prevent, treat, and cure kidney diseases throughout the world by educating health professionals and scientists, advancing research and innovation, communicating new knowledge and advocating for the highest quality care for patients. ASN has nearly 21,000 members representing 140 countries. For more information, visit www.asn-online.org and follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

# # #