About

Matthew P. Wahl, MD, is a professor specializing in Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Utah. His clinical practice is primarily based at the Utah Diabetes & Endocrinology Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Dr. Wahl is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism. He is highly regarded by patients for his knowledge, caring approach, and ability to explain complex medical issues clearly. Patients describe him as kind, attentive, professional, and supportive, emphasizing his thoroughness, willingness to listen, and personal approach to care. His dedication to patient well-being is reflected in his personal follow-ups and comprehensive review of medical histories, ensuring tailored and effective treatment plans. The extensive positive feedback highlights his expertise in managing diabetes and endocrine disorders, as well as his compassionate and patient-centered approach to medicine.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Radiology
• Clinical psychology
• Biology
• Physical therapy
• Internal medicine
• Nursing
• Nuclear medicine
• Family medicine
• Anatomy

Selected publications

• 1880-LB: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)–Based Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Improves Ophthalmology Follow-up in the Intermountain West

  Diabetes · 2025-06-13

  articleSenior author

  Introduction and Objective: AI-based retinal imaging is highly sensitive in detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, follow-up adherence, referral efficiency, and ophthalmologist availability remain key challenges for disease monitoring and treatment access. This project examines the impact that AI-based DR screening has on ophthalmology follow-up rates within a three month time frame for patients with more-than-mild diabetic retinopathy (MTMDR), compared to traditional tele-retinal screening. Methods: Previously (2018-2021), point-of-care DR screening at the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center at the University of Utah utilized a traditional tele-retinal protocol, where clinic-acquired images were transmitted for off-site interpretation by a retina specialist. The lag time from photo acquisition to patient notification of findings was 10 days on average. In May 2021, our clinic began using the AI-based DR screening program EyeArt, which provides immediate interpretation following photo-acquisition. A retrospective review of adults with T1D or T2D and MTMDR on screening compared the follow-up rates of traditional tele-retinal versus AI-based DR screening processes. Results: Among the 357 patients screened traditionally, 12% (n=42) had MTMDR, with 38% (n=16) completing in-person ophthalmology evaluation within three months. Since implementation of AI based screening in 2021, 584 patients have undergone screening, with 25% (n=144) found to have MTMDR, 51% (n=73) of whom completed in-person ophthalmology follow-up within three months. Conclusion: AI-based screening resulted in improved adherence to successful ophthalmology follow-up ophthalmology within three months following a positive screening test as compared to a traditional tele-retinal process. Immediate results and streamlined referrals likely contributed to improved follow-up adherence. However, significant barriers to ophthalmology engagement persist following a positive DR screening. Disclosure C. Watson: None. F.A. Aljabrain: None. M. Wahl: None.

  PublisherDOI

• Metformin Blunts Bed Rest-induced Skeletal Muscle Ceramide Accumulation in Older Adults

  Physiology · 2024-05-01

  article

  Skeletal muscle insulin resistance is an undesirable outcome during periods of physical inactivity in older adults, which can lead to a variety of metabolic diseases. Insulin sensitive tissue (e.g., liver, and skeletal muscle) derived ceramides are well known to promote insulin resistance. Evidence suggests that metformin can regulate tissue ceramide accumulation. Therefore, we hypothesized that metformin treatment during a short-term period of bed rest in male and female older adults would reduce skeletal muscle ceramide accumulation and prevent insulin resistance. Our study design consisted of older adults (66 ± 4.5 y/o placebo, n=10; 71.7 ± 5.1 y/o metformin, n=10) who were subjected to 5 days of bed rest. Participants were randomly assigned to placebo or metformin treatment groups. Drug or placebo treatments started two weeks prior to bed rest and continued throughout the 5 days of bed rest. Prior to and after bed rest, participants underwent a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Muscle biopsies (from the vastus lateralis) were taken prior to and after each clamp both before and after bed rest. We found that insulin-stimulated muscle ceramides were increased after bed rest but were blunted in older adults who took metformin. In addition, muscle insulin resistance correlated with the increase in ceramides. We conclude that metformin was effective to reduce ceramide accumulation in muscle during a period of bed rest in older adults. R21AG064576 awarded to M.J.D. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

  PublisherDOI

• Pembrolizumab-induced acquired lipodystrophy: a case report and review of the literature

  Melanoma Research · 2024-12-20 · 2 citations

  review

  Acquired generalized lipodystrophy (AGL) is a rare complication of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and is associated with immune-mediated loss of adipose tissue, peripheral resistance to insulin, and serious metabolic complications. Here we report a new case of ICI-induced AGL and provide an updated literature review of published cases. We report a 39-year-old female patient treated with adjuvant pembrolizumab for stage IIIC nevoid melanoma with ICI-induced AGL. After six cycles of pembrolizumab, she developed a 40 lb weight loss with fat wasting, a decreased leptin level, significant liver function abnormalities, hepatic steatosis, hypertriglyceridemia, and subsequently was found to have severe insulin dependence and resistance. No corticosteroids were given and pembrolizumab was discontinued. AGL persists at 3-year follow up and patient remains free of melanoma progression. Literature review identified an additional seven patients who developed ICI-induced acquired lipodystrophy, predominantly female. Of the identified cases, three patients received steroids without resolution of their acquired lipodystrophy, while one patient had resolution without steroid treatment. Five patients and our case were treated with ICIs for melanoma, and all had at least a partial response to treatment. ICI-induced acquired lipodystrophy is an exceedingly rare event with profound clinical consequences. Our case report and literature review better characterized the clinical course and treatment outcomes of these patients. With the increasing utilization of ICIs in treating cancer, further studies to better understand the underlying mechanism and to guide clinical management of the metabolic complications are needed.

  PublisherDOI

• SAT281 Screening For Adrenocortical Insufficiency In Patients With X-linked Adrenoleukodystrophy

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2023-10-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Disclosure: J. Berquist: None. R.N. Kiani: None. M.P. Wahl: None. Background: A 41-year-old male initially presented to neurology clinic for complaints of poor balance, lower extremity weakness, and numbness. He previously had exam findings of lower extremity spasticity and hyperreflexia, distal vibratory loss, positive Romberg, and difficulty with Tandem gait. His symptoms had been progressive following an ankle sprain 8 years earlier and he was treated with physical therapy and baclofen. He is highly active otherwise and enjoys rock climbing, which was difficult to do given his symptoms. Clinical Case: Genetic screening was performed to evaluate for hereditary spastic paraparesis, which resulted positive for a mutation in the ABCD1 gene with a p.Lys336Glu mutation of uncertain significance. Interestingly, this ABDC1 variant was not detected in submitted maternal sample, hence patient’s mutation likely occurred de novo. This variant is not established in population databases (gnomAD no frequency) but has been observed in at least one individual with clinical features of adrenomyeloneuropathy. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy causes impairment of beta oxidation that leads to accumulation of saturated very long chain fatty acids (VFLA) in multiple tissues. There are many clinical phenotypes, but they are hallmarked by neurologic signs and symptoms. Although neurologic symptoms can often develop in childhood, they can be delayed and present in adulthood, as can adrenal insufficiency (AI). However, males are overwhelmingly likely to develop adrenocortical insufficiency compared to females. Our patient presented with a BMI of 22.94, HR 50 bpm, and blood pressure 120/76; reflecting his active lifestyle. Recent electrolytes were within normal limits, AM cortisol was 13.0, and ACTH 544.0 Given the elevated ACTH and known cause of adrenal insufficiency, we proceeded with ACTH stimulation test. Peak cortisol resulted at 13.1 (at 60 minutes) and he was started on replacement glucocorticoid therapy per body-surface area. Upon further literature review, patients can also develop loss of mineralocorticoid production. Renin and aldosterone were ordered and were both within normal limits. Conclusion: Males with adrenoleukodystrophy are at a much higher risk of developing adrenal insufficiency (AI) compared to females. Additionally, AI will often develop later in life, so a low threshold for screening should be present for the endocrinologist. Mineralocorticoid deficiency can also develop, although not as commonly. Loss of adrenal function can lead to patient demise, and therefore adrenal function needs to be closely evaluated in people with leukodystrophy. Presentation: Saturday, June 17, 2023

  PublisherDOI

• Disuse‐induced muscle fibrosis, cellular senescence, and senescence‐associated secretory phenotype in older adults are alleviated during re‐ambulation with metformin pre‐treatment

  Aging Cell · 2023 · 52 citations

  • Internal medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Biology

  Muscle inflammation and fibrosis underlie disuse-related complications and may contribute to impaired muscle recovery in aging. Cellular senescence is an emerging link between inflammation, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and poor muscle recovery after disuse. In rodents, metformin has been shown to prevent cellular senescence/senescent associated secretory phenotype (SASP), inflammation, and fibrosis making it a potentially practical therapeutic solution. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine in older adults if metformin monotherapy during bed rest could reduce muscle fibrosis and cellular senescence/SASP during the re-ambulation period. A two-arm controlled trial was utilized in healthy male and female older adults (n = 20; BMI: <30, age: 60 years+) randomized into either placebo or metformin treatment during a two-week run-in and 5 days of bedrest followed by metformin withdrawal during 7 days of recovery. We found that metformin-treated individuals had less type-I myofiber atrophy during disuse, reduced pro-inflammatory transcriptional profiles, and lower muscle collagen deposition during recovery. Collagen content and myofiber size corresponded to reduced whole muscle cellular senescence and SASP markers. Moreover, metformin treatment reduced primary muscle resident fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) senescent markers and promoted a shift in fibroblast fate to be less myofibroblast-like. Together, these results suggest that metformin pre-treatment improved ECM remodeling after disuse in older adults by possibly altering cellular senescence and SASP in skeletal muscle and in FAPs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Abstract #1184484: Transient Refractory Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia

  Endocrine Practice · 2022-05-01

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Utilization of bilateral percutaneous microwave ablation of the adrenal glands in ectopic Cushing's syndrome

  Radiology Case Reports · 2022-09-30

  articleOpen access

  Ectopic Cushing's syndrome (CS) is rare and difficult to cure when the source is elusive. Medical management is complex and often times contraindicated in the medically complex patient. We present a complicated case of ectopic CS where bilateral percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) of the adrenal glands successfully cured hypercortisolism when surgery and medical therapies were contraindicated. A 71-year-old male was diagnosed with ectopic CS after adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent hypercortisolism persisted after hypophysectomy despite a positive gradient of >3 on inferior petrosal sinus sampling. An ectopic source was not identified. Surgery and medical therapies were contraindicated due to comorbidities and drug interactions. Bilateral MWA of the adrenal glands was performed. Postprocedurally cortisol levels declined and the patient was clinically adrenally insufficient at 6 months. Bilateral MWA of the adrenal glands can prove to be an effective treatment option for ectopic CS when surgical resection and medical therapies are ineffective or contraindicated.

  PublisherDOI

• Abstract #1038815: Bilateral Adrenal Ablation in patient with Persistent Cushing's

  Endocrine Practice · 2021-05-28

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• 474-P: Durable Reductions in A1C and Diabetes Distress with a One-Day Hybrid DSMES Intervention

  Diabetes · 2021 · 4 citations

  • Medicine
  • Physical therapy
  • Family medicine

  The effectiveness of time efficient diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) interventions that include both group and individual sessions is lacking. This study tested the impact of the Diabetes One-Day Education and Care (D1D) Program on A1C and diabetes distress.D1D is an 8-hour DSMES hybrid (group and individual sessions) program delivered by an interdisciplinary team. Group sessions focused on the AADE7 self-care behaviors and included an interactive lunch with chef demonstration. Three 30-minute individual session were with a nurse practitioner/endocrinologist, pharmacist, dietitian, nurse, and/or exercise specialist. A1C and diabetes distress were collected at baseline, 3- and 6-months.Participants (N=213) were 59% female, 85% White, with an average age of 56.4±16 years and average diabetes duration of 11.7±11.3 years. Most participants had type 2 diabetes (80%). Compared to baseline (8.2% ±2.1), A1C levels were significantly lower at 3-months (7.6±1.6%, p<.001) and 6-months (7.6±1.5%, p=.001). Compared to baseline (60.8 ±20.3), diabetes distress levels were significantly lower at 3-months (-11.3, p<001) and 6-months (-10.30, p<001).D1D is a one-day hybrid DSMES program that demonstrated durable reductions in A1C and diabetes distress.View largeDownload slideView largeDownload slide DisclosureM. L. Litchman: Research Support; Self; Abbott Diabetes. S. Fisher: None. X. Wang: None. R. K. Delaney: None. J. Neuberger: None. A. Reeder: None. S. R. Jones: None. J. S. Simonetti: Consultant; Self; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, Research Support; Self; Rhythm Pharmaceuticals . M. Wahl: None. A. Fagerlin: None.FundingLarry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation

  PublisherDOI

• 92-OR: Increased Disease Detection, Yet Treatment Barriers Identified, with Point-of-Care Retinopathy Screening

  Diabetes · 2021-06-01

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Due to limitations in access to specialized eye care, the majority of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR) are not screened routinely. To increase screening for DR, the Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center clinic began to offer point-of-care retinal image screening for patients with diabetes who had not had a dilated eye exam in the last year. Retinal photos obtained with a digital non-mydriatic camera were interpreted by a vitreoretinal specialist. From 11/2017 to 12/2020, 320 people underwent point-of-care DR screening. Of these, 298 (93%) had retinal images that were of sufficient quality. Mild-moderate DR was identified in 63 participants (21%), moderate-severe DR in 29 participants (10%) and proliferative DR in 11 participants (4%). Patients with advanced DR were referred for in-person evaluation. Five of 11 patients with proliferative DR visited a University of Utah (U of U) ophthalmologist compared to 9 of 29 patients with moderate-severe DR. Four of 14 patients with advanced retinopathy seen by U of U ophthalmology began retinopathy-specific treatment (anti-VEGF injection/ photocoagulation). We conclude that initiation of point-of-care retinal screening to patients not routinely followed by ophthalmologists increased detection of mild, moderate and proliferative DR. These findings also identify follow-up with retinal specialists after referral as a potential treatment barrier.View largeDownload slideView largeDownload slide DisclosureM. Wahl: None. J. Neuberger: None. M. L. Litchman: Research Support; Self; Abbott Diabetes. G. S. Adjei-poku: None. A. Fagerlin: None. M. Hartnett: None. S. Fisher: None.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Jane E.B. Reusch

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  4 shared

• Anu Sharma

  3 shared

• Julie Neuberger

  University of Utah

  3 shared

• Simon J. Fisher

  3 shared

• Angela Fagerlin

  3 shared

• Judith G. Regensteiner

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  3 shared

• Rebecca L. Scalzo

  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

  3 shared

• Michelle L. Litchman

  University of Utah

  3 shared