United States: The GLP1-RA diabetes/weight-loss medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Saxenda, and Trulicity, have proven effective for patients with chronic kidney disease, according to recent research findings.
More about the news
Research reveals that GLP1-RA medication obtains superior results for kidney disease progression control, hospitalization prevention, and patient survival rates than the standard kidney drugs, which lie in the DPP4is drug category.
According to the study’s first author, Dr. Shuyao Zhang, “The benefits of GLP1-RA therapy for blood glucose management are well known, but our research provides much-needed evidence in support of the [kidney]]–protective effect of GLP1-RAs in high-risk patients with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease,” US News reported.
Dr. Zhang is working as an assistant professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern in Dallas.
How did the experts reach the conclusion?
For two years, Zhang’s team tracked the records of 64,705 veterans who had diabetes along with chronic kidney disease (CKD), among which 32,314 used DPP4i medication and another 32,391 utilized GLP1-RA medicine.
People using medication from the latter drug category demonstrated 16 percent lower mortality rates while showing 10 percent reduced hospital utilization and 36 percent better kidney condition stability compared to participants taking DPP4i medications, according to this research study’s findings.
Moreover, the study co-senior author Dr. Ildiko Lingvay stated, “People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease have a very high risk of complications” like low blood sugar, infections, or cardiovascular episodes, US News reported.
What more are the experts stating?
Moreover, “Yet this population is much less likely to be included in clinical trials or be treated with medications that have proven benefits,” added Lingvay, a professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern.
“Our findings demonstrate that GLP1-RAs can lead to fewer cardiovascular events, less progression of kidney disease, and lower health care costs,” she noted.
“These are very impactful outcomes that support the widespread benefits of this class of medications in this high-risk population,” she continued.
According to Zhang, clinical information provides a possibility for altering medical practices.
“Historically, diabetic kidney disease has been difficult to address,” ass Zhang mentioned.
Additionally, “With further research, we could eventually see new guidelines that include GLP1-RAs as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for diabetes-related kidney disease, potentially improving long-term outcomes and enhancing patient quality of life,” she concluded.