Effect of Empagliflozin vs Linagliptin on Glycemic Outcomes,Renal Outcomes & Body Composition in Renal Transplant Recipients With Diabetes Mellitus

In the early postoperative period, hyperglycemia is frequently seen in renal transplant recipients primarily because of high doses of immunosuppressive therapy. Many of these patients have pre-existing type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, 10-20% of renal transplant recipients develop new onset persisting hyperglycemia following renal transplantation, known as posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). These patients need optimal glycemic control in order to prevent development of cardiovascular and de novo renal disease. Most of these patients receive insulin therapy following transplantation, as they receive steroid therapy and oral hypoglycemic agents are better avoided. However, as steroids are tapered and need for insulin diminishes, several anti-diabetic agents are initiated off-label, such as metformin, DDP-4 inhibitors and sulfonylureas. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors exhibit nephroprotective effects in individuals with native kidney disease, with or without type 2 diabetes. However, the data regarding the safety and glycemic efficacy of these glucose-lowering agents in the renal transplant setting are scarce. DPP-4 inhibitors are glucose-lowering agents used in patients with CKD. For instance, linagliptin is used in all eGFRs without dose modification. The data regarding the safety and efficacy of linagliptin are scarce in patients following renal transplantation. Since patients following renal transplantation receive immunosuppressants and steroids, which may affect their body composition. Effect of SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors on body composition in patients following renal transplantation is not well established. In this study, we aimed to examine the safety and effect of empagliflozin (an SGLT2 inhibitor) versus linagliptin (an DDP-4 inhibitor) on the glycemic outcomes, renal outcomes and body composition in renal transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus.