Weight loss medications can improve kidney health, research shows
According to a study, weight-loss drugs can reduce the risk of worsening kidney function, kidney failure and death from kidney disease by a fifth.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a family of medications that help people shed the pounds, control blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, and prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with diabetes. heart disease.
But while the drugs’ benefits for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are well known, their potential impact on kidney health is less certain.
Now, the largest and most comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney outcomes suggests they could have significant benefits. The findings were published in the journal Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials of weight loss drugs involving more than 85,000 people. The group included people with type 2 diabetes and people with cardiovascular disease who were overweight or obese but did not have type 2 diabetes.
The studies examined seven different GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, also known as Ozempic or Wegovy, dulaglutide and liraglutide.
Compared with placebo, GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and worsening of kidney function by 22%, researchers said. The combined reduction in the risk of kidney failure, worsening of kidney function and death from kidney disease was 19%.
The analysis also confirmed previous findings that weight-loss drugs protect cardiovascular health, with a 14% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks and non-fatal strokes, compared with placebo. Death from any cause was 13% lower in patients treated with GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Lead author Prof Sunil Badve, professor at the George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney, said the study expanded current knowledge about the drugs’ potential benefits.
“This is the first study to demonstrate a clear benefit of GLP-1 receptor agonists on renal failure or end-stage renal disease, suggesting that they play a key role in the renoprotective and cardioprotective treatment of patients with common medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes, overweight or obese with cardiovascular disease, or CKD (chronic kidney disease),” he said.
“These results are especially important for patients with chronic kidney disease. It is a progressive condition that eventually leads to kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation and is associated with premature death, usually due to heart disease. It has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and incurs significant healthcare costs.”
It is estimated that chronic kidney disease affects one in ten people worldwide, equivalent to approximately 850 million people. It is the tenth leading cause of death and is expected to be the fifth most common cause of death by 2050.
Prof. Vlado Perkovic, Professor at the George Institute, Provost at UNSW Sydney and senior author of the study, said: “This research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists could play an important role in tackling the global burden of non-communicable diseases.
“Our study will have a major impact on clinical guidelines for the treatment of chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in people with and without diabetes.
“More work is now needed to implement the results of this study into clinical practice and improve access to GLP-1 receptor agonists for people who will benefit from them.”