INTRODUCTION: Diabetes and obesity increase risk of death after lung transplantation. Optimal treatment of diabetes and obesity may improve post-transplant outcomes. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are FDA-approved to treat diabetes and obesity and demonstrate improvement in renal and cardiovascular outcomes in the general population. However, side effects may limit tolerability in lung transplant recipients. We hypothesized that GLP-1RA would be stopped due to side effects in a higher proportion of lung transplant recipients compared to the general population but result in weight loss for those who were able to tolerate them.
METHODS: We performed a single-center case series of lung transplant recipients initiated on a GLP-1RA post-transplant between April 1, 2005 and December 31, 2023. We assessed side effects and complications during GLP-1RA use. Weight was assessed at time of GLP-1RA initiation and 3-, 6-, and 12-months postinitiation.
RESULTS: Fifty-nine lung transplant recipients initiated a GLP-1RA during the study period with a median (IQR) total time of use of 590 (280-891) days. Thirty-seven percent (22/59) stopped the medication due to side effects, with nausea and vomiting being most common. The median (IQR) percent change in weight at 12-months post-GLP-1RA initiation was -2.5% (-8.7% to 1.5%).
DISCUSSION: We report the largest study evaluating GLP-1RA use in lung transplant recipients. Discontinuation rates are higher and weight loss is lower than in the general population. However, most lung transplant recipients tolerated long-term use of GLP-1RA. Further work is required to identify which recipients are most likely to benefit and how to optimize tolerability.
