Ascites HepaticNCT05999773
SGLT-2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Ascites
An observational study of Ascites Hepatic and Cirrhosis, Liver, run by University of Palermo at 2 sites in Italy.
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to test the efficacy of glyphozines (SGLT-2 inhibitors) in the control of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis in class A6-B9, according to the Child-Pugh classification, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Ascites Hepatic, Cirrhosis, Liver, Diabete Type 2
- What is being tested?
- SGLT2 inhibitor
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 2 sitesItaly
- Study dates
- 15 Jul 2023to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: We will enroll subjects with complicated liver cirrhosis and type II diabetes mellitus consecutively, in two centers: Internal Medicine Unit of the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", University Hospital of Palermo, Italy and Internal Medicine Unit of the "Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia- Cervello" Hospital of Palermo, Italy. Patients will be assigned to intervention or control group according diabetology indications to start SGLT-2 inhibitors. Patients included in the two study groups will be sex, age and race matched.
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 80 years
- Patients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function)
- Patients diagnosed with Hepatic Cirrhosis of viral etiology (if previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection they must be in Sustained Virological Response (SVR); if previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection they must have undetectable viral genome)
- Patients diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis of metabolic etiology
- Patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis of alcoholic etiology (non active potus)
- Patients with grade 1 ascites: ascites detectable only ultrasound that can be fully mobilized or controlled with diuretic therapy associated with or without moderate dietary sodium restriction
- Grade 2 ascites: ascites that leads to a moderate abdominal distension and that recurs on at least 3 occasions within a 12-month period despite sodium restriction and adequate diuretic therapy (23)
- Patients diagnosed with type II diabetes mellitus defined according to 2022 American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines.
Who cannot join
- Inability to obtain informed consent
- Ascites of non-cirrhotic origin
- Patients diagnosed with heart failure Heart (NYHA) class => 2
- Patients diagnosed with acute renal failure
- Patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 25ml/min
- Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (diagnosed according to the Barcelona criteria) or other active tumors (25)
Show all 17Show fewer
- Grade 3 ascites: ascites that causes marked distention of the abdomen and that cannot be mobilized or whose early recurrence (i.e. after large volume paracentesis) cannot be satisfactorily prevented by medical therapy
- Patients diagnosed with acute Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis (26)
- Patients diagnosed with severe hepatic encephalopathy
- Patients diagnosed with autoimmune diseases on active steroid treatment
- Patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis due to storage diseases
- Patients diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver due to enzyme deficiency
- Patients diagnosed with complete portal thrombosis
- Patients with active sepsis
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Patients who use drugs
- Patients with active alcohol consumption
Trial locations and contacts
2 sites in 1 country.
Italy2 sites
Internal Medicine Unit, V. Cervello Hospital
Palermo, Italy, 90100
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Palermo
Palermo, Palermo, 90127
About this study
Official title: Potential Role of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Ascites in Cirrhotic Patients
The goal of this observational study is to test the efficacy of glyphozines (SGLT-2 inhibitors) in the control of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis in class A6-B9, according to the Child-Pugh classification, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The investigators will compare patients belonging to the intervention group (A), who will be given SGLT-2 inhibitors according to diabetology indications in addition to standard medical therapy for 6, with patients of the control group (B), who will, instead, continue with the standard medical therapy for 6 months. Standard medical therapy will include dietary sodium restriction, treatment with diuretics (furosemide and spironolactone), hypoglycemic therapy (metformin, insulin, or both) and other supportive care.
The main questions aims of this study are:
- Compare the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic approach based on the administration of SGLT-2 inhibitors in addition to optimal medical therapy (MRA and loop diuretic) compared to traditional diuretic therapy only, in cirrhotic patients with saline retention and diabetes.
- Demonstrate better control of the glycemic profile in cirrhotic diabetic patients using SGLT-2 inhibitors.
Read the detailed description
Background The occurrence of ascites and saline retention is the most common complication in patients affected by liver cirrhosis and it is associated with poor prognosis.
It is well-known that in liver cirrhosis the underlying pathogenetic events responsible of ascites are portal hypertension and splanchnic vasodilation. These mechanisms reduce the effective circulating blood volume, triggering counter-regulatory systems such as the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), that leading to renal sodium and water retention.
Therefore, considering pathogenetic knowledge, the cornerstones of ascites treatment are sodium restriction and drugs such as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) and loop diuretics, reserving more invasive techniques, like paracentesis with administration of human albumin, for more severe patients with grade 3 ascites unresponsive to diuretics. However, even though diuretics have proven to be among the most efficient drugs in controlling ascites, patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites treated with diuretics develop adverse drug reactions in 20-40% of cases.
One of the most common comorbidities of liver cirrhosis is type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which affects approximately one-third of cirrhotic patients. The connection between liver cirrhosis and DM2 is complex. DM2 can be a secondary effect or, conversely, a casual factor of liver dysfunction.
Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a relatively new class of drugs for the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus. They inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and glucose in the proximal convoluted tubule of the nephron, leading to a significant natriuresis and have proven to be effective and safe drugs for the control of the glycemic profile in patients with liver dysfunction.
In recently published case reports, SGLT-2i have also proven to be safe and effective in controlling the glycemic profile in patients with liver dysfunction. In these patients, in addition to better control the glycemic profile, they led to saline retention improvement and to weight loss, without inducing encephalopathy or acute kidney injury. Other studies have hypothesized that, similarly to the previously demonstrated beneficial effect of glyphozines in patients with acute heart failure, SGLT-2i may also lead to the improvement of complicated liver cirrhosis acting as "neuromodulators", suppressing the RAAS axis and inducing better mobilization of ascites and reduction of saline retention.
Currently, there are no randomized controlled trials supporting these evidences.
In this observational study the investigators intend to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i in cirrhotic and diabetic patients with saline retention.
Aims
- Comparing the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic approach based on the administration of SGLT-2i in addition to optimal medical therapy (MRA and loop diuretic) compared to traditional diuretic therapy only, in cirrhotic patients with saline retention and diabetes.
- Demonstrating better control of the glycemic profile in cirrhotic diabetic patients using SGLT-2i.
Sample and study design Our study will be a clinical, prospective, observational multicenter study. The investigators will enroll subjects with complicated liver cirrhosis and type II diabetes mellitus consecutively, in two centers: Internal Medicine Unit of the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", University Hospital of Palermo, Italy and Internal Medicine Unit of the "Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia- Cervello" Hospital of Palermo, Italy.
Sample size The sample size is difficult to determine as there are no studies that have evaluated the efficacy of SGLT-2i treatment in addition to diuretic therapy in the patient with liver cirrhosis and saline retention. To date, there are only a few case reports in the literature that have demonstrated its effectiveness. Considering the prospective and pilot nature of this study the investigators decided to enroll at least 40 patients.
Study design and outcome evaluation Our project has been approved by the ethics committee of the University Hospital of Palermo.
Patients enrolled on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and who agreed to enter the study, after signing the informed consent, will be assigned to intervention group (group A) or control group (group B).
Patients belonging to the intervention group (A) will be given SGLT-2 inhibitors, according diabetology indications, in addition to standard medical therapy for 6 months; the patients of the control group (B) will instead continue with the only standard medical therapy for 6 months, according diabetology indications.
Standard medical therapy will include dietary sodium restriction, treatment with diuretics (furosemide and spironolactone), hypoglycemic therapy (metformin, insulin, or both) and other supportive care. Patients taking non-selective beta-blockers will continue to do.
Patients in group A and group B will be evaluated for specific clinical and laboratory parameters before the start of the study (T0) and they will subsequently be evaluated again at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months (T1, T2, T3).
- Conditions
- Ascites Hepatic, Cirrhosis, Liver, Diabete Type 2
- Being tested
- SGLT2 inhibitor
- Keywords
- Ascites, Liver Cirrhosis, Diabete Type 2, Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors, Glyphozines
- Medical subject headings
- Liver Cirrhosis, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Ascites
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
SGLT2 inhibitorDrug
Start of SGLT-2 inhibitors to treat diabetes according diabetology indications.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SGLT-2i Group | Patients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B9 class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus assigned to start SGLT-2 inhibitors intake, according diabetology indications, in addition to standard medical therapy for 6 months. Receives: Drug: SGLT2 inhibitor | |
| Standard Therapy Group | Patients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B9 class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus assigned to continue standard medical therapy, according diabetology indications, for 6 months. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Ascites control
Ascites control, defined in terms of:
- Optimal control, in case of total disappearance of the ascites
- Reduction of the grade of ascites from grade 2 to grade 1 (i.e. ascites that is clinically undetectable, which does not determine abdominal distension and detectable only by ultrasound).
- Absence of response, in case of persistence of ascites of the same degree.
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Glycemic control
Reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels from baseline to the end of the study, defined as:
- Optimal control: HbA1C below 6.5%
- Good control: HbA1C between 6.5% and 6.9%
- Inadequate control: HbA1C between 7.0% and 8%
- Poor control: HbA1C above 8.0%
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
SGLT-2 inhibitors related adverse events
Appearance of any adverse effect related to the intake of an SGLT-2 inhibitor, classified as follows:
- None: no adverse effects
- Minimal: adverse effect which does not significantly compromise the patient's state of health and which allows the continuation of the therapy
- Moderate: adverse effect which significantly compromises the patient's state of health and which does not allow the continuation of the therapy, managed in an outpatient setting.
- Severe: adverse effect which significantly compromises the patient's state of health and which does not allow the continuation of the therapy, managed in an inpatient setting.
- Life-threatening: adverse effect that puts the patient's life in danger and which requires the immediate interruption of therapy and hospitalization.
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Secondary outcomes (15)
Fasting glucose control
Fasting blood glucose will be evaluated by finger stick glucose auto measurement after overnight fasting in the 5 days preceding the outpatient visit, and will be classified as:
- Good fasting glucose control: average of three consecutive fasting blood glucose measurement between 80-130 mg/dl.
Poor glycemic control: average blood glucose measurements of three consecutive fasting blood glucose measurement >130 or <70 mg/dl
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Weight loss
Weight reduction will be assessed by weight measurements at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months, and will be classified as:
- Optimal: weight loss >= 5 kg
- Good: 5 Kg< weight loss =< 2.5 Kg
- Poor: 2.5 Kg< weight loss < 0 Kg
- Gain: any value of weight gain
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
24-hour diuresis
24-hours diuresis will be assessed at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in 24- hours urinary volume
- Decrease: significant (p<0.05) reduction of 24- hours urinary volume
- Increase: significant (p<0.05) increase of 24- hours urinary volume
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Sodium excretion in the urine
Fraction of sodium excretion will be evaluated on 24-hours diuresis at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in 24- hours sodium excretion
- Decrease: significant (p<0.05) reduction of 24- hours sodium excretion
- Increase: significant (p<0.05) increase of 24- hours sodium excretion
Measured: From day 0 to day 180
Natremia
Natremia will be evaluated on plasma samples at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in natremia
- Decrease: significant (p<0.05) reduction of natremia
- Increase: significant (p<0.05) increase of natremia
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Mean arterial pressure
Mean arterial pressure will be evaluated according international guidelines of blood pressure assessment at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in mean arterial pressure
- Decrease: significant (p<0.05) reduction of mean arterial pressure
- Increase: significant (p<0.05) increase of mean arterial pressure
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Glomerular filtration rate
Glomerular filtration rate will be evaluated according to Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) measurement at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in glomerular filtration rate
- Decrease: significant (p<0.05) reduction of glomerular filtration rate
- Increase: significant (p<0.05) increase of glomerular filtration rate
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score
CTP score will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in glomerular filtration rate
- Reduction: decrease of at least 1 point in the CTP score
- Increase: increase of at least 1 point in the CTP score
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Survival
Overall patient's survival will be evaluated after 6 months from the study enrollment
Measured: 6 months
Loop diuretics posology
Loop diuretics posology (mg/die) will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in loop diuretics posology to control ascites
- Reduction: decrease of loop diuretics posology to control ascites
- Increase: increase of loop diuretics posology to control ascites
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists posology
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists diuretics posology (mg/die) will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists posology to control ascites
- Reduction: decrease of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists posology to control ascites
- Increase: increase of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists posology to control ascites
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Metformin posology
Metformin (only in patients taking metformin) posology (mg/die) will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in metformin posology to control ascites
- Reduction: decrease of metformin posology to control ascites
- Increase: increase of metformin posology to control ascites
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Insulin bolus posology
Insulin bolus (only in patients taking insulin) posology (mg/die) will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in insulin bolus posology to control ascites
- Reduction: decrease of insulin bolus posology to control ascites
- Increase: increase of insulin bolus posology to control ascites
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Insulin basal posology
Insulin basal (only in patients taking insulin) posology (mg/die) will be evaluated at day 0, at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months and will be classified as:
- None: no change in insulin basal posology to control ascites
- Reduction: decrease of insulin basal posology to control ascites
- Increase: increase of insulin basal posology to control ascites
Measured: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Adverse events classification
Putative adverse events related to SGLT-2 inhibitors intake will be classified as:
- Allergy: appearance of any allergic manifestation including: skin rash, itching, erythema, urticaria, angioedema, anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock
- Infectious diseases: Occurrence of any of the following conditions: Vulvovaginal candidiasis, balanitis or balanoposthitisb, urinary tract infection (including pyelonephritis and urosepsis)
- Metabolism disorders: hypoglycemia, dehydration, diabetic ketoacidosis, dyslipidemia, hyperkalaemia, hyperphosphoraemia
- Nervous system disorders: postural dizziness, syncope
- Vascular disorders: hypotension, orthostatic hypotension
- Gastrointestinal disorders: constipation, thirst, nausea
- Musculoskeletal system disorders: bone fracture
- Renal and urinary disorders: polyuria, pollakiuria, renal insufficiency (mainly in the context of hypovolemia)
Measured: 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted21 Aug 2023
- Study start15 Jul 2023
- Primary completion15 Jul 2025
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Ascites HepaticStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Palermo
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Aurelio Seidita, University of Palermo
- Investigators
- Lydia Giannitrapani, MD, Principal investigator, University of Palermo
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05999773
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- ASLG01
- Status last verified
- Apr 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Aug 2023
- Last updated
- 1 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Publications
Bernardi M, Moreau R, Angeli P, Schnabl B, Arroyo V. Mechanisms of decompensation and organ failure in cirrhosis: From peripheral arterial vasodilation to systemic inflammation hypothesis. J Hepatol. 2015 Nov;63(5):1272-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.07.004. Epub 2015 Jul 17.
PubMed 26192220Angeli P, Gatta A, Caregaro L, Menon F, Sacerdoti D, Merkel C, Rondana M, de Toni R, Ruol A. Tubular site of renal sodium retention in ascitic liver cirrhosis evaluated by lithium clearance. Eur J Clin Invest. 1990 Feb;20(1):111-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1990.tb01800.x.
PubMed 2108033Santos J, Planas R, Pardo A, Durandez R, Cabre E, Morillas RM, Granada ML, Jimenez JA, Quintero E, Gassull MA. Spironolactone alone or in combination with furosemide in the treatment of moderate ascites in nonazotemic cirrhosis. A randomized comparative study of efficacy and safety. J Hepatol. 2003 Aug;39(2):187-92. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00188-0.
PubMed 12873814Garcia-Compean D, Gonzalez-Gonzalez JA, Lavalle-Gonzalez FJ, Gonzalez-Moreno EI, Maldonado-Garza HJ, Villarreal-Perez JZ. The treatment of diabetes mellitus of patients with chronic liver disease. Ann Hepatol. 2015 Nov-Dec;14(6):780-8. doi: 10.5604/16652681.1171746.
PubMed 26436350Kasichayanula S, Liu X, Zhang W, Pfister M, LaCreta FP, Boulton DW. Influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of dapagliflozin: an open-label, parallel-group, single-dose study. Clin Ther. 2011 Nov;33(11):1798-808. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2011.09.011. Epub 2011 Oct 26.
PubMed 22030444Montalvo-Gordon I, Chi-Cervera LA, Garcia-Tsao G. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Ameliorate Ascites and Peripheral Edema in Patients With Cirrhosis and Diabetes. Hepatology. 2020 Nov;72(5):1880-1882. doi: 10.1002/hep.31270. No abstract available.
PubMed 32294260Kalambokis GN, Tsiakas I, Filippas-Ntekuan S, Christaki M, Despotis G, Milionis H. Empagliflozin Eliminates Refractory Ascites and Hepatic Hydrothorax in a Patient With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):618-619. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000995. No abstract available.
PubMed 33027081Saffo S, Taddei T. SGLT2 inhibitors and cirrhosis: A unique perspective on the comanagement of diabetes mellitus and ascites. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken). 2018 Jul 26;11(6):141-144. doi: 10.1002/cld.714. eCollection 2018 Jun. No abstract available.
PubMed 30992805Gao Y, Wei L, Zhang DD, Chen Y, Hou B. SGLT2 Inhibitors: A New Dawn for Recurrent/Refractory Cirrhotic Ascites. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2021 Dec 28;9(6):795-797. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2021.00418. Epub 2021 Nov 26. No abstract available.
PubMed 34966642
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Potential Role of Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Ascites in Cirrhotic Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05999773
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ASLG01
- Conditions
- Ascites Hepatic, Cirrhosis, Liver, Diabete Type 2
- Keywords
- Ascites, Liver Cirrhosis, Diabete Type 2, Sodium Glucose Cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) Inhibitors, Glyphozines
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University of PalermoUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Azienda Ospedaliera Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia Cervello
- Study start
- 15 Jul 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jul 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 21 Aug 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The goal of this observational study is to test the efficacy of glyphozines (SGLT-2 inhibitors) in the control of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis in class A6-B9, according to the Child-Pugh classification, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The investigators will compare patients belonging to the intervention group (A), who will be given SGLT-2 inhibitors according to diabetology indications in addition to standard medical therapy for 6, with patients of the control group (B), who will, instead, continue with the standard medical therapy for 6 months. Standard medical therapy will include dietary sodium restriction, treatment with diuretics (furosemide and spironolactone), hypoglycemic therapy (metformin, insulin, or both) and other supportive care.
The main questions aims of this study are:
- Compare the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic approach based on the administration of SGLT-2 inhibitors in addition to optimal medical therapy (MRA and loop diuretic) compared to traditional diuretic therapy only, in cirrhotic patients with saline retention and diabetes.
- Demonstrate better control of the glycemic profile in cirrhotic diabetic patients using SGLT-2 inhibitors.
Detailed description
Background The occurrence of ascites and saline retention is the most common complication in patients affected by liver cirrhosis and it is associated with poor prognosis.
It is well-known that in liver cirrhosis the underlying pathogenetic events responsible of ascites are portal hypertension and splanchnic vasodilation. These mechanisms reduce the effective circulating blood volume, triggering counter-regulatory systems such as the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), that leading to renal sodium and water retention.
Therefore, considering pathogenetic knowledge, the cornerstones of ascites treatment are sodium restriction and drugs such as mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) and loop diuretics, reserving more invasive techniques, like paracentesis with administration of human albumin, for more severe patients with grade 3 ascites unresponsive to diuretics. However, even though diuretics have proven to be among the most efficient drugs in controlling ascites, patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites treated with diuretics develop adverse drug reactions in 20-40% of cases.
One of the most common comorbidities of liver cirrhosis is type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), which affects approximately one-third of cirrhotic patients. The connection between liver cirrhosis and DM2 is complex. DM2 can be a secondary effect or, conversely, a casual factor of liver dysfunction.
Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) are a relatively new class of drugs for the management of type-2 diabetes mellitus. They inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and glucose in the proximal convoluted tubule of the nephron, leading to a significant natriuresis and have proven to be effective and safe drugs for the control of the glycemic profile in patients with liver dysfunction.
In recently published case reports, SGLT-2i have also proven to be safe and effective in controlling the glycemic profile in patients with liver dysfunction. In these patients, in addition to better control the glycemic profile, they led to saline retention improvement and to weight loss, without inducing encephalopathy or acute kidney injury. Other studies have hypothesized that, similarly to the previously demonstrated beneficial effect of glyphozines in patients with acute heart failure, SGLT-2i may also lead to the improvement of complicated liver cirrhosis acting as "neuromodulators", suppressing the RAAS axis and inducing better mobilization of ascites and reduction of saline retention.
Currently, there are no randomized controlled trials supporting these evidences.
In this observational study the investigators intend to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SGLT-2i in cirrhotic and diabetic patients with saline retention.
Aims
- Comparing the efficacy and safety of a therapeutic approach based on the administration of SGLT-2i in addition to optimal medical therapy (MRA and loop diuretic) compared to traditional diuretic therapy only, in cirrhotic patients with saline retention and diabetes.
- Demonstrating better control of the glycemic profile in cirrhotic diabetic patients using SGLT-2i.
Sample and study design Our study will be a clinical, prospective, observational multicenter study. The investigators will enroll subjects with complicated liver cirrhosis and type II diabetes mellitus consecutively, in two centers: Internal Medicine Unit of the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", University Hospital of Palermo, Italy and Internal Medicine Unit of the "Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia- Cervello" Hospital of Palermo, Italy.
Sample size The sample size is difficult to determine as there are no studies that have evaluated the efficacy of SGLT-2i treatment in addition to diuretic therapy in the patient with liver cirrhosis and saline retention. To date, there are only a few case reports in the literature that have demonstrated its effectiveness. Considering the prospective and pilot nature of this study the investigators decided to enroll at least 40 patients.
Study design and outcome evaluation Our project has been approved by the ethics committee of the University Hospital of Palermo.
Patients enrolled on the basis of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and who agreed to enter the study, after signing the informed consent, will be assigned to intervention group (group A) or control group (group B).
Patients belonging to the intervention group (A) will be given SGLT-2 inhibitors, according diabetology indications, in addition to standard medical therapy for 6 months; the patients of the control group (B) will instead continue with the only standard medical therapy for 6 months, according diabetology indications.
Standard medical therapy will include dietary sodium restriction, treatment with diuretics (furosemide and spironolactone), hypoglycemic therapy (metformin, insulin, or both) and other supportive care. Patients taking non-selective beta-blockers will continue to do.
Patients in group A and group B will be evaluated for specific clinical and laboratory parameters before the start of the study (T0) and they will subsequently be evaluated again at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months (T1, T2, T3).
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SGLT-2i Group | – | Drug: SGLT2 inhibitorPatients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B9 class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus assigned to start SGLT-2 inhibitors intake, according diabetology indications, in addition to standard medical therapy for 6 months. |
| Standard Therapy Group | – | –Patients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B9 class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function) and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus assigned to continue standard medical therapy, according diabetology indications, for 6 months. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- We will enroll subjects with complicated liver cirrhosis and type II diabetes mellitus consecutively, in two centers: Internal Medicine Unit of the "Policlinico Paolo Giaccone", University Hospital of Palermo, Italy and Internal Medicine Unit of the "Ospedali Riuniti Villa Sofia- Cervello" Hospital of Palermo, Italy. Patients will be assigned to intervention or control group according diabetology indications to start SGLT-2 inhibitors. Patients included in the two study groups will be sex, age and race matched.
Key inclusion criteria (8 listed)
- Age between 18 and 80 years
- Patients diagnosed with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A6-B class Hepatic Cirrhosis (moderately impaired liver function)
- Patients diagnosed with Hepatic Cirrhosis of viral etiology (if previous hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection they must be in Sustained Virological Response (SVR); if previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection they must have undetectable viral genome)
- Patients diagnosed with hepatic cirrhosis of metabolic etiology
- Patients diagnosed with liver cirrhosis of alcoholic etiology (non active potus)
Key exclusion criteria (17 listed)
- Inability to obtain informed consent
- Ascites of non-cirrhotic origin
- Patients diagnosed with heart failure Heart (NYHA) class => 2
- Patients diagnosed with acute renal failure
- Patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 25ml/min
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| SGLT2 inhibitorStart of SGLT-2 inhibitors to treat diabetes according diabetology indications. | Drug | SGLT-2i Group |
Primary outcome
Ascites control
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Ascites control, defined in terms of: * Optimal control, in case of total disappearance of the ascites * Reduction of the grade of ascites from grade 2 to grade 1 (i.e. ascites that is clinically undetectable, which does not determine abdominal distension and detectable only by ultrasound). * Absence of response, in case of persistence of ascites of the same degree.
Glycemic control
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) levels from baseline to the end of the study, defined as: * Optimal control: HbA1C below 6.5% * Good control: HbA1C between 6.5% and 6.9% * Inadequate control: HbA1C between 7.0% and 8% * Poor control: HbA1C above 8.0%
SGLT-2 inhibitors related adverse events
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Appearance of any adverse effect related to the intake of an SGLT-2 inhibitor, classified as follows: * None: no adverse effects * Minimal: adverse effect which does not significantly compromise the patient's state of health and which allows the continuation of the therapy * Moderate: adverse effect which significantly compromises the patient's state of health and which does not allow the continuation of the therapy, managed in an outpatient setting. * Severe: adverse effect which significantly compromises the patient's state of health and which does not allow the continuation of the therapy, managed in an inpatient setting. * Life-threatening: adverse effect that puts the patient's life in danger and which requires the immediate interruption of therapy and hospitalization.
15 secondary outcomes
Fasting glucose control
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Weight loss
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
24-hour diuresis
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Sodium excretion in the urine
Time frame: From day 0 to day 180
Natremia
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Mean arterial pressure
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Glomerular filtration rate
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Survival
Time frame: 6 months
Loop diuretics posology
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists posology
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Metformin posology
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Insulin bolus posology
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Insulin basal posology
Time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Adverse events classification
Time frame: 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 May 2026.
- Background: PubMed 26192220Bernardi M, Moreau R, Angeli P, Schnabl B, Arroyo V. Mechanisms of decompensation and organ failure in cirrhosis: From peripheral arterial vasodilation to systemic inflammation hypothesis. J Hepatol. 2015 Nov;63(5):1272-84. doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2015.07.004. Epub 2015 Jul 17.
- Background: PubMed 2108033Angeli P, Gatta A, Caregaro L, Menon F, Sacerdoti D, Merkel C, Rondana M, de Toni R, Ruol A. Tubular site of renal sodium retention in ascitic liver cirrhosis evaluated by lithium clearance. Eur J Clin Invest. 1990 Feb;20(1):111-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1990.tb01800.x.
- Background: PubMed 12873814Santos J, Planas R, Pardo A, Durandez R, Cabre E, Morillas RM, Granada ML, Jimenez JA, Quintero E, Gassull MA. Spironolactone alone or in combination with furosemide in the treatment of moderate ascites in nonazotemic cirrhosis. A randomized comparative study of efficacy and safety. J Hepatol. 2003 Aug;39(2):187-92. doi: 10.1016/s0168-8278(03)00188-0.
- Background: PubMed 26436350Garcia-Compean D, Gonzalez-Gonzalez JA, Lavalle-Gonzalez FJ, Gonzalez-Moreno EI, Maldonado-Garza HJ, Villarreal-Perez JZ. The treatment of diabetes mellitus of patients with chronic liver disease. Ann Hepatol. 2015 Nov-Dec;14(6):780-8. doi: 10.5604/16652681.1171746.
- Results publication: PubMed 22030444Kasichayanula S, Liu X, Zhang W, Pfister M, LaCreta FP, Boulton DW. Influence of hepatic impairment on the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of dapagliflozin: an open-label, parallel-group, single-dose study. Clin Ther. 2011 Nov;33(11):1798-808. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2011.09.011. Epub 2011 Oct 26.
- Results publication: PubMed 32294260Montalvo-Gordon I, Chi-Cervera LA, Garcia-Tsao G. Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors Ameliorate Ascites and Peripheral Edema in Patients With Cirrhosis and Diabetes. Hepatology. 2020 Nov;72(5):1880-1882. doi: 10.1002/hep.31270. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 33027081Kalambokis GN, Tsiakas I, Filippas-Ntekuan S, Christaki M, Despotis G, Milionis H. Empagliflozin Eliminates Refractory Ascites and Hepatic Hydrothorax in a Patient With Primary Biliary Cirrhosis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2021 Mar 1;116(3):618-619. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000000995. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 30992805Saffo S, Taddei T. SGLT2 inhibitors and cirrhosis: A unique perspective on the comanagement of diabetes mellitus and ascites. Clin Liver Dis (Hoboken). 2018 Jul 26;11(6):141-144. doi: 10.1002/cld.714. eCollection 2018 Jun. No abstract available.
- Results publication: PubMed 34966642Gao Y, Wei L, Zhang DD, Chen Y, Hou B. SGLT2 Inhibitors: A New Dawn for Recurrent/Refractory Cirrhotic Ascites. J Clin Transl Hepatol. 2021 Dec 28;9(6):795-797. doi: 10.14218/JCTH.2021.00418. Epub 2021 Nov 26. No abstract available.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Lydia Giannitrapani, MD principal investigator
University of Palermo
2 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Ascites Hepatic and Cirrhosis, Liver, run by University of Palermo at 2 sites in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 17 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 2 sites in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Ascites control (time frame: Day 0, 4 weeks, 3 months, 6 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05999773, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 May 2026.