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Abstract Background and Aims SGLT2 inhibitors confer kidney and cardiovascular protection in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some studies have analyzed the effects of SGLT2is on hemoglobin levels. Potential mechanisms for rising hemoglobin include hypoxia-induced activation of HIF2α, hepcidin inhibition resulting in iron metabolism modulation, and hemoconcentration. We aimed to evaluate the effect of dapagliflozin on anemia in CKD patients. Method We conducted a prospective study in patients in a single center with eGFR 35-90 ml/min/1.73 m2 who received dapagliflozin 10 mg daily between 6/2022 and 10/2023. The primary outcome was the mean difference in hemoglobin levels 5 months prior and 8 months after initiation of SGLT2i therapy. Results Among 132 patients screened from 6/2022 to 10/2023, 53 were prescribed dapagliflozin 10 mg daily, with a mean eGFR of 53.2 ml/min/1.73 m2. Of those 53 patients, 28 (52.8%) were males and 25 (47.2%) females. No one received any iron supplements or erythropoietin therapy. The mean hemoglobin level 5 months before initiating SGLT2i therapy was 10.5 g/dL, with a mean drop of 0.10 g/dL (95% CI, –0.22 to + 0.06) in 5 months. Eight months following the addition of SGLT2is, patients experienced an increase in hemoglobin levels of 1.03 g/dL (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.14). Overall, we observed a mean hemoglobin difference of 1.13 g/dL (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.41, p 0.01) before and after initiating SGLT2i therapy. Conclusion The use of dapagliflozin for eight months resulted in a significant elevation in hemoglobin levels in patients with CKD. Further studies can explore of better understanding of the effect and confirm the mechanisms that explain this finding. Elevation of hemoglobin with SGLT2is may be closely linked to the reduction of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure.
Abdullaev et al. (Wed,) studied this question.