Abstract: FR-PO1081
Effect of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Inflammatory Markers, Nutritional Markers, and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent (ESA) Use in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Session Information
- Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
- 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
Authors
- Lama, Suman Kumar, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Blankenship, Derek, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Chaudhuri, Sheetal, Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Larkin, John W., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Pecoits-Filho, Roberto, Pontificia Universidade Catolica do Parana, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
- Usvyat, Len A., Renal Research Institute, New York, New York, United States
- Hippen, Benjamin E., Fresenius Medical Care Holdings Inc, Waltham, Massachusetts, United States
Background
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1a) are increasingly used for diabetes and obesity but have not been studied in hemodialysis (HD) patients in trials. This real-world study assessed changes in inflammatory, nutritional markers, and ESA use in HD patients starting GLP1a vs. non-users.
Methods
1,631 center HD patients starting GLP1a medications (Jan 2023–Feb 2024) were matched to non-users with 1:1 propensity score matching for demographics, comorbidities, and select lab parameters. Outcomes analyzed included changes in albumin, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and ESA utilization over 12 months from the index start date. The index start date for the comparator group aligned the vintage distribution at the start date in GLP1a across both cohorts. All patients were required to receive HD treatments for 1 year following the index start date at a large U.S. dialysis provider.
Results
ESKD patients using GLP1a drugs demonstrated a slight, non-significant increase in albumin levels from 3.86 to 3.91 g/dL (1.3% increase over 12 months) vs 3.89–3.90 g/dL (0.5% increase) in nonusers (p=0.09). WBC counts, initially higher in the GLP1a users, declined from 7.53 to 7.26 ×103/μL, a 3.5% reduction over 12 months, compared to (7.01–7.09 ×103/μL), a 1.1% decrease in nonusers (p < 0.05). NLR decreased in GLP1a users from 4.08 to 3.94 (3.4% reduction), while NLR increased from 3.98 to 4.26 (7.0% increase) (p<0.05). Mean ESA use in GLP1a users declined from 76.55 mcg to 71.27 mcg (6.9% reduction), compared to a decline from 83.77 mcg to 80.15 mcg, a 4.3% reduction in non-users (p < 0.05) (Figure 1).
Conclusion
GLP1a use in HD patients was linked to reduced WBC, NLR, and ESA needs, suggesting potential anti-inflammatory effects. Further research is needed to clarify mechanisms and long-term outcomes in this population.