Effect of empagliflozin treatment on laboratory and clinical findings of patients with glycogen storage disease type Ib: first study from Türkiye.

OBJECTIVES

Empagliflozin has been used for the treatment of over 100 glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSDIb) patients worldwide since 2019. We aimed to evaluate the effect of empagliflozin treatment on the laboratory and clinical findings of patients with GSDIb in Türkiye.

METHODS

Included in this multicenter study were 10 patients with GSDIb, and whose demographic, clinical and laboratory data were analyzed retrospectively. Further data for the study were garnered through a survey of patients and caregivers to evaluate the effects of empagliflozin treatment on quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS

The mean age at which the empagliflozin treatment was started was 73.2 (4-239) months. The mean duration of empagliflozin treatment was 16.9 (8-39) months. Glucosuria was identified in eight (80 %) patients undergoing empagliflozin treatment, while urogenital infections were detected in six (60 %) and hypoglycemia in two (20 %). An analysis of neutrophil levels revealed increased absolute neutrophil counts following empagliflozin treatment. Skin and/or mucosal lesions were noted in nine (90 %) patients prior to the initiation of empagliflozin treatment, but persisted in only one patient following empagliflozin treatment (10 %) (p=0.008). Empagliflozin treatment resulted in a decrease in the frequency of hospitalizations due to infection (p=0.0015). Furthermore, 80 % of the patients reported positive impact on their well-being as a result of the empagliflozin treatment, and 70 % of parents reported improvement in physical performance and activities, in the sleep quality of both the patient and parents, and in mobility.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed empagliflozin to be effective in improving the neutrophil counts of patients with GSD Ib and in enhancing the QoL of both the patients and their caregivers.