Effects of canagliflozin on hyperkalaemia and serum potassium in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: insights from the CREDENCE trial

Background

Hyperkalaemia is a common complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and limits the optimal use of agents that block the renin-angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In patients with CKD, sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors provide cardiorenal protection, but whether they affect the risk of hyperkalaemia remains uncertain.

Purpose

We sought to assess the effect of canagliflozin on hyperkalaemia and other potassium-related outcomes in people with T2DM and CKD by conducting a post-hoc analysis of the CREDENCE trial.

Methods

The CREDENCE trial randomized 4401 participants with T2DM and CKD to the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin or matching placebo. In this post-hoc analysis using an intention-to-treat approach, we assessed the effect of canagliflozin on a composite outcome of time to either investigator-reported hyperkalaemia or the initiation of potassium binders. We also analysed effects on central laboratory-determined hyper- and hypokalaemia (serum potassium ≥6.0 and <3.5 mmol/L, respectively) and change in serum potassium.

Results

At baseline the mean serum potassium in canagliflozin and placebo arms was 4.5 mmol/L; 4395 (99.9%) participants were receiving renin angiotensin system blockade. Canagliflozin reduced the risk of investigator-reported hyperkalaemia or initiation of potassium binders (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.95, p=0.014; Figure 1). The incidence of laboratory-determined hyperkalaemia was similarly reduced (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.98, p=0.031; Figure 2); the risk of hypokalaemia (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.71–1.20, p=0.53) was not increased. Mean serum potassium over time with canagliflozin was similar to that of placebo.

Conclusion

Among patients treated with RAAS inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibition with canagliflozin may reduce the risk of hyperkalaemia in people with T2DM and CKD without increasing the risk of hypokalaemia.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1Figure 2

Kidney and cardiovascular protection with SGLT2 inhibitors: lessons from cardiovascular outcome trials and CREDENCE

The burden of diabetic kidney disease is rising rapidly worldwide, and new therapies are of vital importance to reduce the risk of kidney failure and major cardiovascular events. Of the newer glucose-lowering agents, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown exciting potential in preventing these adverse events. The results of several large cardiovascular outcome trials, a single dedicated kidney outcome trial and a dedicated heart failure trial, demonstrate substantial clinical benefits for several different SGLT2 inhibitors. Emerging evidence raises the possibility that these benefits may extend to those with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. This review summarises the current evidence for SGLT2 inhibitor benefits and harms, and examines which patients are most likely to gain from these therapies.