Institutional Experience With New Antidiabetic Drugs in Kidney Transplant

The recent introduction of new antidiabetic drugs, analogs of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, has shown excellent results in the management of patients with diabetes with chronic kidney disease. However, documented results of these medications in the population that has undergone kidney transplant are sparse. We report our institutional experience with them, including occurrence of side effects and possible interactions with immunosuppressive medications.

A retrospective analysis of 15 patients (10 with diabetes and 5 without diabetes but with obesity) managed with these medications was carried out in the kidney transplant unit of Hospital Doctor Peset during the year 2019. Data acquired at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months were analyzed.

The median hemoglobin A1c at baseline was 6.7 (interquartile range [IQR] = 5.8-8.2) and at 12 months it was 6 (IQR = 5.3-8.1, P = .96). The mean weight difference at 12 months was a loss of 7.2 ± 6 kg; median body mass index at baseline was 31.2 kg/m² (IQR = 29.7-35.5) and 29.5 kg/m² (IQR = 27.6-31.6, P = .01) at 12 months. In addition to weight loss, a reduction in insulin and oral antidiabetic drug requirements was observed. No significant changes were detected in serum creatinine or proteinuria values and the immunosuppressant levels remained stable. No acute rejection episodes were observed.

Based on our experience, the new antidiabetic drugs are safe, with no significant changes in renal function or immunosuppressant levels or clinically important adverse effects.