Real-World Impact of Finerenone on Albuminuria in Patients with Diabetes and CKD

Patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD-DM) often have residual albuminuria despite pharmacological treatment. Finerenone targets mineralocorticoid overactivation, but real-world evidence remains limited. This study evaluated the impact of finerenone in a cohort of patients with CKD-DM. This was a real-life study including patients with CKD-DM and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 20 mL/min/1.73 m², treated with finerenone, aged ≥ 18 years, and followed at the Nephrology Department of Vall d'Hebron Hospital. Clinical and laboratory data were collected at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months of treatment. Changes in albuminuria and eGFR were analyzed in patients who completed 6 months of follow-up. A total of 60 patients were included in the analysis; 39 (65%) were male, with a median age of 79 ± 10.12 years. Finerenone was initiated at 10 mg daily in 57 patients (95%), with 38.3% escalating to 20 mg after 1 month. After 6 months, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) decreased by 37.1% (p = 0.012, n = 34). Patients with an initial eGFR drop > 20% showed a greater UACR decrease of around 43% at 3 (p = 0.012) and 6 months (p = 0.013). A significant 9.5% decline in eGFR was observed at 1 month, followed by stabilization at 3 and 6 months. Finerenone was discontinued in 10% of the patients due to adverse events. Hyperkalemia occurred in 18.3% of the patients, but no hospitalizations for adverse events or heart failure were reported. In summary, finerenone induced a significant 37.1% reduction in albuminuria after 6 months of treatment. This reduction was more pronounced in patients who experienced an initial eGFR dip ≥ 20%. Finerenone was generally well tolerated and appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing albuminuria in this population.