Cystic kidney patients with renal function may participate in the Renal Lifecycle study if they have renal function of less than 25%, are on dialysis or have a kidney transplant with less than 45% function. There are reasons to believe that this drug, SGLT2 inhibitors, may do extra favorably in this patient group. But there are also reasons why they might actually not work.

The kidney department of the UMCG is therefore trying to start a study in which the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on cyst growth and renal function deterioration will be examined specifically in a large group of cystic kidney disease patients. Cystic kidney disease patients can participate in that study if they have a native kidney function of 30% or more. That study and the Renal Lifecycle study are therefore complementary.

On the website is a list of all hospitals and dialysis centers that participate or with which we are still in discussion. Here you can find if your center is participating. If your center is not listed, please contact us via our e-mail address or contact form. We will then have a look what the nearest participating center is for you and who your physician can contact for you.

With regular immunosuppressive medication you can participate. Only if you have had a course of immunosuppressive medication in the past 6 months because of acute rejection of your transplanted kidney you cannot participate.

During an initial examination visit we check that you meet all the requirements to participate in the study. During this examination visit, we will also check your kidney function. If it is then above 25% we will contact you and you may submit another portion of urine if necessary. If a kidney function above 25% is measured twice, you cannot participate in the study.

Urinary tract and/or genital tract infections can be either bacterial or fungal.  They are probably 2 to 3x more common than normal when using SGLT2 inhibitors. In general, these infections are treatable. The chance of the occurrence of serious infections is thereby small, and almost not increased compared to a placebo. If you already suffer regularly from urinary tract infections, this may be a reason not to participate in the study. See also the terms of participation.