P-31 GLP1 receptor agonist in end-stage kidney disease: Are they safe and effective?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The novel antidiabetic therapies have been showing promising results in cardiovascular and renal protection besides diabetes treatment. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are well tolerated drugs with few side effects, but they are only approved for a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) higher than 15 mL/min. Anecdotal reports have been made of therapy with GLP-1RA in patients undergoing hemodialysis and intermittent hemodialysis with good results. Clinical Case A sixty-five-year-old male patient with stage 4 chronic kidney disease in the setting of hypertensive and diabetic nephropathy is accompanied at our Endocrinology Department due to non-insulin treated type 2 diabetes. His past-history was notable for atrial fibrillation, obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In what diabetes is concerned, he was under empagliflozin 10mg daily and dulaglutide 1.5mg weekly with excellent glycemic control. Despite optimized treatment and Nephrology follow-up, GFR continued to decay, standing currently at 11 mL/min, without any acute insult, acidosis or hyperkalemia. The patient is starting preparation for hemodialysis with construction of an arteriovenous fistula. At last appointment, despite the lower GFR he maintained an excellent glycemic control with HbA1c of 6% without hypoglycemia and remained clinically asymptomatic without nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain. A pharmacokinetics study revealed a similar exposure to semaglutide independent of renal function (including severe renal impairment [10 patients] and end-stage kidney disease [10 patients]) with the drug being well tolerated in both subgroups without the need for dose adjustments. In our case, the patient maintained the weekly treatment, without reported and/or documented hypoglycemia and possible advantageous cardiovascular profile. In the future, GLP1RA may be a treatment option independently of the patient renal function.