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Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO155

Liraglutide May Be Safe After Kidney Transplantation

Session Information

Category: Transplantation

  • 1802 Transplantation: Clinical

Authors

  • Attallah, Nizar M., Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
  • Yassine, Lina, Imperial College of London Diabetes Center Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Background

Kidney transplant has offered better outcomes for patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetes is a common comorbidity in patients with renal transplants which requires treatment. Diabetes is the most common cause of ESRD. Patients could develop post-transplant DM (PTDM), or have pre-existing diabetes mellitus. Management of DM after transplant (whether the patient had it from before or after the transplant) is challenging. Different medications could be used to manage PTDM. Those medications have good safety and efficacy record in the general population and patients with mild degrees of kidney disease.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective single center analysis of safety and efficacy of Liraglitude after kidney transplant. The study was approved by institutional review board. We collected data (demographics, laboratory tests and any symptoms or hospitalizations) for 32 consecutive patients for 18 months.

Results

All 32 patients received subcutaneous Liraglitude at an average of 1.2 mg/day throughout the study period. Patients’ average age was 64. 18 were females and all from Middle Eastern decent and had kidney transplant on average 32 months when they were included in the study. 13 patients had DM before the transplant and the rest had PTDM. 15 patients were on metformin and 10 were on insulin while the rest were not on any other medications. Average baseline creatinine was 1.2 mg/dL (106.3 mmol/L) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of 8.4 g/dL while creatinine was 1.1 mg/dL (97.5 mmol/L) and HbA1c was 7.2 g/dL at the end. HbA1c dropped 1.2 on average within 6 weeks of initiating Liraglitude and was maintained for the rest of the study. Urine protein did not change significantly throughout the study. One patient developed acute myocardial infarction during the study and another patient was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis. A third patient developed an opportunistic infection. Ten patients developed nausea and vomiting following the initiation of Liraglitude but that resolved 4 weeks later with lowering the dose. No allergic reactions or hypoglycemia episodes were reported. The average weight dropped 2.4 kg during the study and body mass index changed from 28.6 to 27.8. Only one patient stopped the medication due to acute pancreatitis.

Conclusion

In this retrospective analysis, Liraglitude seems to be safe and efficacious after kidney transplant. It can be considered to manage DM after transplant.