Assessment of the use of Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors among patients monitored in the nephrology outpatient clinic

Approximately 10% of the adult population has at least one type of kidney damage. It has been known that the quality of life is low and the mortality and morbidity rates are 10-30 times higher in patients with kidney disease. The use of sodium glucose co-transporter2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors in diabetic and non-diabetic patients has increased in recent years due to their renoprotective and cardioprotective effects. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors on kidney disease and prognosis in patients followed in the Hacettepe University Hospitals Nephrology Department outpatient clinic, and to evaluate the nephrotoxicity risk of other drugs used by the patients. The study also aimed to evaluate the quality of life of the patients. The study was conducted prospectively between September 2022 and February 2023 and a total of 72 patients (50% female) were included with a median age (range) of 65 (35-83) years. The patients were monitored for a median duration of 4 months, and decreases in the risk scores of 2 (p=0,165) and 5 years (p=0,227) of kidney failure and cardiovascular disease (p<0.001) were observed. The mean numbers of nephrotoxic drugs and nephrotoxicity score were 1.76 (±0.91) and 1.51 (±0.85), respectively; where the nephrotoxicity score was observed as 1.69 (±0.93) in patients using empagliflozin. The quality of life of patients with kidney disease was determined as good (mean: 88.51) for the symptoms and problems of the disease, but as poor (mean: 42.53) for the patient's physical condition. In conclusion, although the positive effects of the use of SGLT-2 inhibitors on clinical outcomes in patients with kidney disease have been demonstrated, the evaluation of other drugs used in patients by clinical pharmacists particularly in terms of nephrotoxicity, and by the provision of multidisciplinary care services may increase the success rate in the treatment. Key words: SGLT2-inhibitor, quality of life, nephrology, clinical pharmacist