Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) show reno-protective effects in type 2 diabetes. Limited data is available on their use in post-transplant diabetes mellitus. We aimed to explore the effect of GLP1-RAs on renal outcomes in diabetic kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

We conducted a cohort retrospective study on adult KTR with diabetes mellitus. KTR treated with GLP1-RAs were matched with non-users. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of graft rejection, start of dialysis, re-transplantation or all-cause mortality. Other outcomes included a composite of the first occurrence of a genitourinary infection or all-cause mortality, and all-cause mortality. Metabolic effects of GLP1-RA treatment and risk for biliopancreatic adverse events were also explored.

We included 272 patients (69 % males, average age 58.3 ± 11.0 years) with a 3.1-year median follow-up. The use of GLP1-RAs lowered the incidence of the composite renal outcome after adjustment for independent risk factors (114 versus 68 events per 1000-patient years in controls versus GLP1-RA users, HR 0.489, 95 % CI 0.271–0.883). GLP-RA users had improved glycemic control, lipid profile and a decrease in body mass index. The treatment was safe without increased genitourinary infections or biliopancreatic events.

The use of GLP1-RAs decreased the risk of a composite outcome of renal dysfunction and mortality, improved metabolic control and showed safety of use in a large cohort of diabetic KTR, suggesting reno-protective effects in this high-risk population. Prospective data is further needed in KTR who are excluded from large RCTs.