Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy in patients with diabetic kidney disease: a matched cohort study

Low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LI-ESWT) is a potential novel treatment against diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The present study investigates the longer term effects of LI-ESWT on kidney function in patients with DKD.

This matched cohort study included 28 patients with DKD, who received six sessions of LI-ESWT. Patients were matched 1:5 with patients from the Funen Diabetes Database. Multivariable adjusted eGFR and ACR were analyzed using multilevel mixed-effects linear regression. The primary outcomes were ACR and eGFR measured at 3, 6, 12, and 18 month follow-up. Secondary analyses with patients stratified for sex, age, baseline eGFR, and baseline ACR were made for the multivariable adjusted values of eGFR and ACR.

No significant difference in multivariable adjusted ACR or eGFR was found at 18 months. The intervention group showed a non-significant decrease in adjusted eGFR (1.83 mL/min/1.73 m² lower, p = 0.15) and ACR (14%, p = 0,56). Stratified results revealed lower eGFR in patients > 60 years 3.64 mL/min/1.73 m², p = 0.03) and those with baseline ACR ≤ 300 mg/g (3.64 mL/min/1.73, p = 0.007).

LI-ESWT did not demonstrate overall statistically significant effects on eGFR and ACR at 3, 6, 12, or 18 months. However, secondary analyses suggest possible effects in certain subgroups. Clinical studies with larger samples are needed to clarify the efficacy of LI-ESWT in specific DKD patient subgroups. Trial Registration The trial was prospectively registered July 31, 2015, at ClinicalTrials.gov with registration number NCT02515461.