Effects of ipragliflozin on the development and progression of kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes: An analysis from a multicenter prospective intervention study

Safety and effectiveness of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired renal function: subgroup analysis of a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study (STELLA-LONG TERM)

STELLA-LONG TERM, a 3-year post-marketing surveillance study, evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor ipragliflozin in Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Final results in the safety (n = 6697) and effectiveness populations (n = 5625) were analyzed by stratifying patients by baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, mL/min/1.73 m²) into four subgroups (≥ 90, 60 to < 90, 45 to < 60, and < 45) and two subgroups (≥ 60 and < 60). Adverse drug reaction (ADR) incidence, and changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), bodyweight, and eGFR were assessed. The percentage of patients experiencing ADRs and serious ADRs was similar across most eGFR subgroups. Polyuria/pollakiuria was the most common ADR. Renal disorders and volume depletion ADRs were more frequent in the subgroups with more severe renal impairment at baseline than in those with an eGFR of 60 to < 90 or ≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m². Bodyweight and HbA1c decreased in all subgroups, the latter by - 0.91% to - 0.40% (P < 0.05 vs. baseline). eGFR increased in the 45 to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m² subgroup (+ 1.42 ± 8.77 mL/min/1.73 m²; P = 0.006). It decreased in the ≥ 90 and 60 to < 90 mL/min/1.73 m² subgroups (- 8.27 ± 13.73 and - 1.22 ± 10.34 mL/min/1.73 m²; P < 0.001), but not to < 60 mL/min/1.73 m². In conclusion, there were no new or unexpected safety findings in Japanese patients treated with ipragliflozin for T2DM, and long-term sustained improvements in HbA1c and bodyweight were observed regardless of the presence of renal impairment.

Initial Acute Decline in Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate After Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Renal function deterioration accompanied by an acute decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was observed early after starting sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) therapy. It is unclear how much and how frequently the initial acute decline in eGFR (IAD-eGFR) would occur after SGLT2i administration, and the effects of IAD-eGFR on subsequent renal function are unknown in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

We retrospectively recruited T2DM patients with CKD (stage 3b; 30 ≤ eGFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m²) and who were newly treated with add-on SGLT2i. We further investigated the effects of SGLT2i therapy on eGFR early after starting treatment (1 - 3 months) and after 6 months of treatment. We examined the factors associated with a large IAD-eGFR (≥ 10%) using logistic regression analyses.

Results

Eighty-seven patients (male, 74.7%; mean age, 69.8 years; median hemoglobin A1c, 7.3%; mean eGFR, 37.8 mL/min/1.73 m²) were analyzed. The mean minimum eGFR early after SGLT2i administration was 34.9 mL/min/1.73 m², which was significantly lower than before treatment (mean, -7.7%). Seventy patients (80.5%) had IAD-eGFR, and 36 patients (41.4%) had a large IAD-eGFR (≥ 10%). Overall, the mean eGFR was 38.2 at 6 months after starting SGLT2i administration. In patients with a large IAD-eGFR (≥ 10%), the eGFR decreased by 72.2% at 6 months to 35.5 mL/min/1.73 m², showing a significant decline from the pretreatment value. In patients without a large IAD-eGFR, eGFR increased by 66.7% at 6 months to 40.0 mL/min/1.73 m². Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that patients with a large IAD-eGFR had a significant association with a high estimated daily salt intake.

Conclusions

SGLT2i treatment frequently induced a significant decrease in eGFR early after starting therapy, but eGFR tended to recover after 6 months in T2DM patients with CKD stage 3b. A large IAD-eGFR (≥ 10%) caused by SGLT2i may lead to subsequent deterioration in renal function, and it was significantly associated with a higher estimated daily salt intake. These results suggest that a more effective renoprotective therapeutic strategy using SGLT2i may be implemented by avoiding the occurrence of a large IAD-eGFR. Further prospective studies are warranted.