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A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center has revealed that a well-known class of drugs used to manage type 2 diabetes and support weight loss may also offer significant benefits for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). These medications, known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs), have been found to reduce hospitalizations, all-cause mortality, and the progression of kidney disease in comparison to another common class of diabetes medications, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is).
The study, recently published in Nature Communications, analyzed the medical records of 64,705 veterans with diabetes and CKD who were treated at Veterans Health Administration hospitals and clinics. Researchers formed propensity-matched pairs of patients—ensuring that there were no significant baseline differences between the groups—to compare the effects of GLP1-RAs and DPP4is. The results were striking: patients who received GLP1-RA treatment experienced a 10% lower rate of acute healthcare utilization, a 16% reduction in mortality from any cause, and a 36% decrease in the progression of kidney disease over the course of nearly two years.
“The benefits of GLP1-RA therapy for blood glucose management are well known, but our research provides much-needed evidence in support of the renal-protective effect of GLP1-RAs in high-risk patients with moderate to advanced chronic kidney disease,” said Dr. Shuyao Zhang, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology at UT Southwestern and the study’s first author. Dr. Zhang collaborated with co-senior authors Dr. Ildiko Lingvay, Professor of Internal Medicine and Public Health at UT Southwestern, and Dr. Ishak A. Mansi, Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
Patients with diabetes-related CKD often face severe complications, including hypoglycemia, infections, and cardiovascular events, making the management of their condition particularly challenging. “People with diabetes and chronic kidney disease have a very high risk of complications and experience frequent hospitalizations,” said Dr. Lingvay. “Yet this population is much less likely to be included in clinical trials or be treated with medications that have proven benefits. Our findings demonstrate that GLP1-RAs can lead to fewer cardiovascular events, less progression of kidney disease, and lower healthcare costs. These are very impactful outcomes that support the widespread benefits of this class of medications in this high-risk population.”
Dr. Zhang and her colleagues hope that their findings will influence future clinical guidelines for managing diabetic kidney disease. “Historically, diabetic kidney disease has been difficult to address,” she said. “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.”
Dr. Lingvay and her team have extensive experience studying the benefits of semaglutide, a widely used GLP1-RA, particularly in reducing cardiovascular risk and promoting weight loss in patients with diabetes and obesity. As research into GLP1-RAs continues, their potential for reshaping the treatment of diabetes-related complications is becoming increasingly evident.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Patients should consult their healthcare providers before making any changes to their treatment regimen.
