Use of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Renal Transplant Patients With Diabetes: A Brief Review of the Current Literature

Abstract

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a novel class of oral hypoglycemic agents commonly prescribed in type 2 diabetes (T2D). They have been shown to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy and improve cardiovascular outcomes in high-risk individuals, although major cardiovascular and renal outcome clinical trials have excluded renal transplant patients. The aim of this review was to determine the outcomes and safety with use of SGLT2 inhibitors in renal transplant patients with diabetes. We conducted a review of randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case series and case reports that assessed use of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients post–renal transplant with either pre-existing T2D or new-onset diabetes after transplant. The outcomes assessed included blood pressure, renal allograft function (estimated glomerular filtration rate), proteinuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio), glycemic control, body weight and adverse effects. A total of 9 studies, which included 144 patients, were reviewed. SGLT2 inhibitor use in renal transplant patients demonstrates either a small or nonsignificant reduction in blood pressure and results in overall stable renal allograft function. It also results in modest improvement in glycemic control as well as weight reduction. The incidence of adverse effects is low and reversible, as reported in previous nontransplant clinical trials. Overall, our findings suggest beneficial outcomes with no significant adverse effects or complications with the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in renal transplant patients with diabetes; however, these findings are based on small trials, and thus well-designed trials in this population are warranted.