The Efficacy and Safety of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in Patients with Advanced-Stage Diabetic Kidney Disease Taking Renin-Angiotensin System Blockers

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the efficacy and safety of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors as an add-on therapy in patients with advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease taking renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), body weight, systolic blood pressure, and annual change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were retrospectively analyzed in 20 patients after 12 months of SGLT-2 inhibitor administration (mean eGFR: 22.8 ± 9.7 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). All patients had advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease and were taking RAS blockers. Twenty patients matched with similar propensity scores who were not taking SGLT-2 inhibitors served as the control group. RESULTS: The annual change in eGFR improved significantly from −8.6 ± 12.5 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year to −2.6 ± 5.0 mL/min/1.73 m(2)/year after 12 months by SGLT-2 inhibitor administration (p < 0.05), but did not change in the control group. Other clinical parameters, such as HbA1c, UACR, body weight, blood pressure, serum lipids, and electrolytes did not change in either group. No adverse effects were observed by taking SGLT-2 inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Using SGLT-2 inhibitors as an add-on therapy may have beneficial effects on renal function in patients with advanced-stage diabetic kidney disease taking RAS blockers without any adverse effects.