#811 Effect of GLP-1 receptor agonists on the weight, urea distribution volume and blood pressure of hemodialysis (HD) patients

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1) drugs are a class of medications commonly used to treat type-2 diabetes. Diabetes is prevalent in almost 60% of the end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients and an increasing number of dialysis patients use GLP-1 drugs. It is important to note that GLP-1 drugs may have additional benefits such as weight loss and potential cardiovascular benefits. However, little is known about the effects of these drugs in dialysis patients. We analysed the changes in body weight and blood pressure in hemodialysis (HD) patients who start using these drugs. We also analysed whether there are changes in patients’ urea distribution volume, a proxy of lean body mass, to understand whether these medications affect muscle mass. Method We retrospectively evaluated 236 ESKD patients who were prescribed GLP-1 drugs as part of routine clinical care in October of 2023 at clinics in a large dialysis organization. All patients received dialysis for at least 60 days before and after they started using the medication. We looked at the changes in the average post dialysis weight, urea distribution volume, and pre dialysis systolic blood pressure (pre-SBP) between the 60 days before using GLP-1 drugs (pre-GLP1 period) and 60 days after initiating the drug (post-GLP1 phase). For each metric, we performed a paired t-test to evaluate the changes between pre-GLP1 and post-GLP1. Results The average post dialysis weight pre-GLP1 was 103.98 kg and the average post dialysis weight post-GLP1 was 102.02 kg (difference: −1.96 kg, 95% CI :1.37 to 4.27, p-value <0.001). The average urea distribution volume was 36.0 L pre-GLP1, and 35.6 L post-GLP1 (difference: −0.47 L, 95% CI: −0.99 to 3.56, p-value=0.07). The mean pre-SBP was 147.83 mmHg pre-GLP1 and 149.67 mmHg post-GLP1 (difference: 1.85 mmHg, 95% CI: −5.49 to 24.93, p=0.29). Conclusion Our analysis showed a significant decrease in the average post dialysis weight of HD patients using GLP-1 drugs. While the decline in patients' urea distribution volume, which can be considered as a proxy for lean tissue mass, was not statistically significant, it may be clinically meaningful. We do not see a significant change in pre-SBP. Reductions in weight may suggest reduction in fat and muscle mass but can also be due to “regression to the mean” phenomena as patients who were on these medications tended to be larger. Further studies are necessary to evaluate this association.