Publications
Please note, the following publications were written for a medical audience. For patient-friendly educational resources, please see the Educational Resources tab
A Review of the Safety of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter-2 Inhibitors
Authors: Daniel Vincent O'Hara, Meg J Jardine
Journal: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date: April 2025
Summary: My earlier research identified that some clinicians were avoiding prescribing a particular class of medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors, which help protect the kidney and heart for many people at risk, because they were concerned about potential side effects. I’ve provided a comprehensive review of the published evidence about the safety of using these medications to provide reassurance that these medications are usually well tolerated and to encourage strategies to avoid side effects and support safe medication use.
Rate of Decline in Kidney Function with Age: a systematic review
Authors: Michelle Guppy, Elizabeth Taruna Thomas, Paul Glasziou, Justin Clark, Mark Jones, Daniel Vincent O'Hara, Jenny Doust
Journal: BMJ [British Medical Association Journal] Open
Date: November 2024
Summary: I supported Professor Michelle Guppy in her work to systematically review published medical literature about how kidney function declines as we age. This research has helped to better understand the usual pattern of kidney function over time so that we can better identify which people are more at risk of advanced kidney disease.
Combination of the Chemokine Receptor Type 2 (CCR2) Antagonist DMX-200 and Candesartan for COVID-19: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Daniel Vincent O'Hara, Abhinav Bassi, Arlen Wilcox, Vivekanand Jha, Vinay Rathore, Sanjay D'Cruz, Thomas L Snelling, Mark Jones, James Totterdell, Ashpak Bangi, Manish Kumar Jain, Carol Pollock, Louise Burrell, Gregory Fox, Cheryl Jones, Sradha Kotwal, Sharifah Faridah Syed
Journal: BMJ [British Medical Association Journal] Open
Date: October 2024
Summary: We conducted a clinical trial of combination medications to improve recovery for people admitted to hospital with COVID-19 infection. Unfortunately the study was limited by many pandemic-related delays including the supply of study medications and international approval processes. Ultimately there were not enough participants recruited to determine if the medications were helpful. The trial was nonetheless published in a leading international journal to demonstrate the difficulties of research in a pandemic, to highlight the unanswered clinical question, and to show the high quality research design.
Adherence and Persistence to Novel Glucose-Lowering Medications in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Routine Care
Authors: Daniel V O'Hara, Roemer J Janse, Edouard L Fu, Meg J Jardine, Juan-Jesus Carrero
Journal: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Date: July 2024
Summary: We demonstrated that around half of all people struggle to take certain diabetes medications regularly, or discontinue treatment altogether, within 1-3 years. This research highlights that patients require dedicated support to take medications consistently, to help prevent health problems.
A Multinational, Multicenter Study Mapping Models of Kidney Supportive Care Practice
Authors: Seren Marsh, Amanda Varghese, Charlotte M Snead, Barnaby D Hole, Daniel V O’Hara, Neeru Agarwal, Elizabeth Stallworthy, Fergus J Caskey, Brendan J Smyth, Kathryn Ducharlet
Journal: Kidney International Reports
Date: July 2024
Summary: We ran a survey of kidney health units across Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom to explore the resources available to support people with low kidney function to manage their symptoms and quality of life issues. We found wide variation in the capacity of kidney units to provide this essential care. Healthcare system support is needed to ensure that patient needs are met.
Applications of SGLT2 Inhibitors Beyond Glycaemic Control
Authors: Daniel V O’Hara, Carolyn SP Lam, John JV McMurray, Tae Won Yi, Samantha Hocking, Jessica Dawson, Smriti Raichand, Andrzej S Januszewski, Meg J Jardine
Journal: Nature Reviews Nephrology
Date: April 2024
Summary: The medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors have shown impressive benefits for preventing kidney failure, particularly among people with protein leaking from the kidneys into the urine, as well as helping to prevent heart failure, reducing the risk of death in people with diabetes, improving blood sugars in diabetes, and assisting with weight loss and blood pressure control. I led the writing of an extensive review of the mechanisms of action, benefits, side effects, cost-effectiveness and the use of these medications in routine patient care, for a leading kidney health journal.
Identifying Barriers and Facilitators for Increasing Uptake of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors in British Columbia, Canada, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research
Authors: Tae Won Yi, Daniel V O’Hara, Brendan Smyth, Meg Jardine, Adeera Levin, Rachael L Morton
Journal: Canadian Journal of Kidney Health and Disease
Date: December 2023
Summary: We interviewed doctors in British Columbia, Canada, to explore the use of a group of kidney-protective medications in routine care. We found a need to provide better patient education and support, educational resources for clinicians, and updated government support for medications costs.
Digital Health Technologies to Support Medication Adherence in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Daniel V O’Hara, Tae Won Yi, Vincent W Lee, Meg J Jardine, Jessica Dawson
Journal: Journal of Nephrology
Date: December 2022
Summary: Many people struggle to take long-term medications, for a variety of reasons. New evidence suggests that digital programs, such as phone applications, text message programs and social media engagement, could be effective ways of connecting with patients and supporting regular medication use. We explored the evidence for these approaches in the management of long-term kidney disease, and discuss the next steps.
Cannabinoids for Symptom Management in Patients with Kidney Failure
Authors: Hayley Worth, Daniel V O’Hara, Neeru Agarwal, David Collister, Frank Brennan, Brendan Smyth
Journal: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Date: June 2022
Summary: People with very low functioning kidneys, or kidney failure, can suffer from many symptoms. These symptoms can be difficult to manage with current approaches. We reviewed evidence that cannabinoids may be able to assist with some of these symptoms, although very few studies have been performed using these medications in people with kidney disease. Further investigation with dedicated trials is needed.
SGLT2 Inhibitors May Prevent Diabetes
Authors: Daniel V O’Hara, Meg J Jardine
Journal: Nature Reviews Nephrology
Date: April 2022
Summary: We assessed evidence that the medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors may help to prevent new-onset type 2 diabetes. This is an exciting potential benefit in addition to their effects on improving kidney and heart health.
Lessons for the Clinical Nephrologist: Ureteric Obstruction Secondary to Blood Clot after Kidney Biopsy
Authors: Daniel V O’Hara, Jeffrey K Wong, Bruce Cooper, Germaine Wong, Muh Geot Wong, Hicham Ibrahim Cheikh Hassan
Journal: Journal of Nephrology
Date: December 2021
Summary: Some kidney problems require a kidney biopsy, where a long thin needle is used to take 2-3 very small pinches of one kidney for testing to find the cause of kidney problems. There are a number of small risks, including of causing bleeding into the urine which usually resolves by itself. We described 5 cases of another potential complication, where the bleeding in the urine forms into a blood clot and blocks the tube (ureter) between the kidney and the bladder. This complication can be fixed with a procedure. It is rarely discussed in medical literature and should be considered when explaining the risk of kidney biopsies to people needing the procedure.
The Effects of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors on Kidney Outcomes
Authors: Daniel V O'Hara, Thomas R Parkhill, Sunil V Badve, Min Jun, Meg J Jardine, Vlado Perkovic
Journal: Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
Date: March 2021
Summary: There are many medication options to help control blood sugars in type 2 diabetes. Some of these medications have benefits for kidney and heart health. For the medications known as DPP4 inhibitors, the effect on kidney health was unclear. We analysed data from clinical trials using DPP4 inhibitors and showed that these medications unfortunately do not have direct benefits for kidney health.
A Life-Threatening Case of Pregnancy-Related Atypical Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Successful Treatment with Eculizumab
Authors: Prianka Puri, Anida Hanxhiu, Daniel V O’Hara, Danny Hsu & Mirna Vucak-Dzumhur
Journal: BMC Nephrology
Date: December 2020
Summary: We discussed the details of a very rare immune system problem that tragically led to kidney failure and the loss of a pregnancy, to help other doctors to think about this problem if it occurs for other patients. The use of a medication known as eculizumab fortunately cured the kidney failure. The patient involved provided permission for the story to be shared. Any information that could be used to identify them has been removed.
Kidney and Cardiovascular Protection with SGLT2 Inhibitors: Lessons from Cardiovascular Outcome Trials and CREDENCE
Authors: Daniel V O'Hara, Brendon L Neuen, Meg J Jardine
Journal: Journal of Nephrology
Date: July 2020
Summary: We examined the emerging evidence that the medications known as SGLT2 inhibitors, originally designed as diabetes drugs, have additional major benefits to kidney and heart health.
For the latest list of publications, please see my Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID®) identifier here
For other engagement with the medical academic community please see my academic Twitter feed here.
