Semaglutide in Patients with Kidney Failure and Obesity Undergoing Dialysis and Wishing to Be Transplanted
In a small prospective study, weekly semaglutide produced meaningful weight loss in dialysis patients who had been refused transplant listing because of obesity, and helped a few become candidates for transplant reconsideration.
Study design
A prospective 12-week open-label trial enrolled 13 patients (12 hemodialysis, 1 peritoneal dialysis) with BMI at least 30 kg/m2 who had not been listed for transplantation due to weight. Semaglutide was titrated from 0.25 mg to 0.5 mg to 1 mg weekly. The primary endpoint was change in body weight and BMI.
Key findings
At week 12 mean weight reduction was 4.6 +/- 2.4 kg (range 2.0-9.7 kg; p<0.001 for both weight and BMI reduction across the study period). About 9 months after starting treatment, three patients were able to seriously reconsider transplant listing.
Safety
One patient discontinued for nausea and vomiting, two died of unrelated causes, and six reported side effects, with an overall profile described as comparable to that seen in non-dialysis populations.
Category
Research
Source
Diabetes, Obesity & Metabolism
More from ASNRT News
Browse the latest news, society announcements, KDIGO guideline updates, and AJNT issue releases on the ASNRT newsroom.