[Challenges in managing diabetes in chronic hemodialysis]

Hemodialysis (HD) centers are facing an increasing number of patients with diabetes. These cases require an intensive multidisciplinary approach of the consequences of renal failure, glycemic control and nutrition and the management of frequent co-morbidities, in particular the diabetic foot. A major challenge is to decrease glycemic variability and the risk of hypoglycemia. Because of increased risk of hypoglycemia-associated mortality, the HbA1C target is loosened in the majority of HD patients. Continuous glucose monitoring technology has identified important glycemic fluctuations during and after dialysis. However, their reliability in HD needs to be improved. New therapeutic pathways that decrease glucose excursions and hypoglycemia, such as GLP1 receptor agonists and sensor-coupled insulin pumps, have yet to be validated in HD.