New research has examined the safety and efficacy of semaglutide in aiding weight loss when taken by dialysis patients to improve transplant candidacy and activation status.
The study authored by Francis G Wade (Saint Louis University, St Louis, USA) and colleagues, published in Clinical Transplantation, is among the largest to examine semaglutide in dialysis patients, individuals who are often excluded from transplant waitlists because a high body mass index (BMI) increases surgical risks and impacts outcomes after transplantation.
The study showed that patients lost an average of 20.5 pounds after one year of treatment with semaglutide, and nearly half (48.3%) of those previously ineligible for transplant were activated on the waitlist. More than one-third of insulin-dependent patients discontinued insulin therapy entirely.
“Obesity is such a major obstacle in the transplant world,” said Wade, the study’s lead author. “Patients can be otherwise perfect candidates, but if their BMI is too high, they’re often not even considered. These results show that new medical therapies can help bridge that gap.”
The findings come amid a skyrocketing interest in GLP-1 medications. While their effectiveness for weight loss in the general population is well documented, this study highlights their potential in a group often overlooked: dialysis patients seeking kidney transplants.
“These results are very encouraging,” said study author Krista Lentine (SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, St Louis, USA). “Semaglutide provides a promising, non-surgical option to support weight reduction and help more patients become eligible for transplant.”
The study also found that Semaglutide was generally well-tolerated, with gastrointestinal symptoms being the most common side effect. About 16.7% of patients discontinued treatment due to side effects, and those on peritoneal dialysis were slightly more likely to experience GI issues than those on haemodialysis.
“As we enter a new era of highly effective weight loss medications, I think we’re going to see a real transformation in transplant medicine,” Wade said. “We’re giving patients options they simply didn’t have before.”
