Linagliptin Plus Insulin for Hyperglycemia Immediately After Renal Transplantation: A Comparative Study

This was a retrospective comparative study performed in a single center between 2016 and 2018, included the data collected from 28 hospitalized post-renal transplanted patients that presented hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dl or or 7.77 mmol/l) immediately after renal transplantation (RT); 14 patients were treated with linagliptin 5mg daily plus a basal bolus insulin scheme prescribed by the Endocrinology group at the hospital, and 14 patients treated only with basal bolus insulin scheme were randomly selected from a list of patients treated during the same period of time and by the same Endocrinology group. Linagliptin dose was 5mg daily and the basal bolus insulin regimen was started and adjusted according to the international guidelines; in general, patients received a starting insulin dose of around 0.5 U/kg/day, given half as basal insulin (NPH or Glargine) once or twice daily and half as insulin lispro divided into three equal doses before meals. Insulin dose was adjusted daily to achieve the goal of fasting glucose between 80-140 mg/dl (4.44-7.77 mmol/l) or random glucose levels below 180 mg/dl (9.99 mmol/l). Correctional insulin dose was used before each meal, depending on the glucose measurements, starting at 1 unit for each 40mg above 140 mg/dl (7.77 mmol/l) of glucose. Glucose levels were monitored at fasting and before each meal, as well as at bedtime according to standard clinical practice. Data regarding fasting and preprandial glucose levels, hypoglycemia, renal function, and immunosuppression therapy were recorded from the patient´s file during the first 5 days after RT; fasting glucose and renal function were also recorded at 1, 6 and 12 months after RT. Patients were included if they were between 18-65 years of age and presented fasting hyperglycemia (>140 mg/dl or 7.77 mmol/l) immediately after RT.

Ethical and Research committee (CEI) at the Hospital approved the study protocol with the number CEI-49-18.