Effect of Empagliflozin Versus Linagliptin on Glycemic Outcomes, Renal Outcomes and Body Composition in Renal Transplant Recipients With Diabetes Mellitus: Randomized Controlled Trial

This EmLina Renal trial is an investigator initiated, single-center, prospective, open-label, randomized clinical study to examine the safety and effect of empagliflozin 25 mg once a day vs. linagliptin 5 mg once a day for 12 months on glycemic outcomes, renal outcomes and body composition in renal transplant recipients with diabetes mellitus. Glycemic variables will include fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Renal outcomes will include change in eGFR, spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) and spot urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR). Body composition variables will include total fat mass, fat percentage, total lean mass, and bone mineral content as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Body composition will also be measured by BIA. The study will be conducted according to the CONSORT guidelines. The patient population for the trial will be derived from Medanta-The Medicity Hospital endocrine and nephrology out-patient clinic. The study will be conducted in Medanta-The Medicity Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana, which is a tertiary care center in North India. Patients deemed eligible will be screened for the trial. The study will be registered at clinicaltrials.gov. The clinical trial protocol will be presented for approval to the institutional ethics review board. Informed written consent will be obtained from all the participants before enrolment into the study.

Baseline assessment at screening All patients will undergo a baseline assessment before randomization, including detailed medical history, physical examination including anthropometry and biochemical evaluation.

Randomization A research assistant will randomize the patients into either Empa group or Lina group in a 1:1 ratio using computer-generated numbers.

Study visits After careful assessment at the baseline visit, patients meeting all inclusion and exclusion criteria will be randomized to receive empagliflozin 25 mg once a day tablet for 12 months. The Lina group will receive linagliptin 5 mg daily for 12 months. Both groups will receive metformin and/or insulin and/or sulfonylureas for the management of diabetes. The study design included 3 in-person visits (baseline and months 6 and 12) and 2 telephonic visits (at months 3 and 9).

Primary and secondary outcomes The primary outcome measure is the change in renal outcomes (changes from baseline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), spot urine albumin- creatinine ratio and spot urine protein-creatinine ratio). The secondary outcome measures are changes in total fat content, fat percentage, lean mass and bone mineral content from baseline (as measured by DEXA); changes in total fat content, fat percentage, lean mass and bone mineral content from baseline (as measured by BIA), and glycemic variables (fasting glucose and HbA1c at baseline, 6 and 12 months). The safety profile will be documented carefully at all in-person and telephonic visits.