Early initiation of sodium‐glucose linked transporter inhibitors (SGLT‐2i) and associated metabolic and electrolyte outcomes in diabetic kidney transplant recipients

There is a paucity of data on the use of SGLT2 inhibitors on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. There may be concern in initiating these agents, especially within the first year post‐transplant when renal function is more labile and immunosuppression more intense, due to a presumed high risk of urinary infections and acute kidney injury. This is a retrospective study on 50 kidney transplant recipients, half of whom were started on therapy within the first year of transplant. Over a follow‐up period of 6 months, overall patients had a statistically significant improvement in weight by −2.95 kg [SD 3.54, P = <.0001 (CI: 3.53, 1.50)] as well as hypomagnesemia 0.13 [SD 1.73, P = .0004 (CI: 0.06, 0.20)]. Overall insulin usage declined by −3.7 units [SD 22.8, P = .17]. 14% of patients had at least one urinary tract infection although this rate is not different (~20%) than that reported historically in this high‐risk population.