Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO0293

Temporal Trends and Characteristics of SGLT2 Inhibitor Use in Veterans with Sickle Cell Disease

Session Information

• CKD: Omics, Systemic Stressors, and Targeted Pharmacotherapy
  October 23, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2201 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Hussein, Wael F., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Wael F. Hussein, MBBS, MSc, FASN

• Shrestha, Prabin, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Prabin Shrestha, PhD

• Kalantar-Zadeh, Kamyar, The Lundquist Institute, Torrance, California, United States

Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, MD, DrMed, PhD, MPH, FASN

• Sumida, Keiichi, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Keiichi Sumida, MD, PhD, MPH, FASN

• Kovesdy, Csaba P., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Csaba P. Kovesdy, MD, FASN

Background

SGLT2 inhibitors improve renal and cardiovascular outcomes in diabetes mellitus (DM), heart failure, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Their use in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) remains poorly studied because of higher concerns regarding volume depletion and infection risk in SCD.

Methods

We identified patients with SCD in the nationwide US Veterans Affairs (VA) Corporate Data Warehouse from 2017 – 2025. We compared users and non-users of SGLT2i therapy and evaluated the temporal prescribing trends and prescription persistence.

Results

Among 788 patients with SCD, 123 (15.6%) received SGLT2i therapy during the study period. SGLT2i initiation increased significantly after 2020 (Figure). Users were older (67 ± 8 versus 63 ± 11, p < 0.01) and had higher prevalence of DM (46% versus 28%, p <0.01). Use of RAASi and GLP1RA was significantly more common among users (94% vs 52%, p <0.01, and 30% vs 4%, p<0.01 respectively). Baseline renal function (eGFR 77 ± 22 vs 77 ± 29 ml/min/1.73 m²) was similar between the two groups. Median covered treatment duration was 360 (IQR: 158 – 1170) days and median proportion of days covered was 90% (IQR 73% – 100%).

Conclusion

SGLT2i use increased over time among veterans with SCD and is particularly common among patients with DM. Exposure was long and there was high medication persistence. These findings support feasibility for future outcome analyses.

Temporal distribution of SGLT2i initiation in veterans with sickle cell disease, 2017–2025.