A groundbreaking study has revealed that weight-loss medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists can significantly reduce the risk of kidney failure, worsening kidney function, and death from kidney disease. The research, which analyzed data from over 85,000 individuals across 11 major clinical trials, indicates that these drugs could offer substantial benefits for those with conditions like type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
The medications, which include popular drugs such as Ozempic (semaglutide), Wegovy, and others like dulaglutide and liraglutide, are already well-known for their role in weight loss, blood sugar management, and cardiovascular disease prevention. However, their impact on kidney health was less understood until now.
Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, the study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and slowed the worsening of kidney function by 22%, compared to a placebo. The combined risk reduction for kidney failure, progression of kidney disease, and death from kidney-related causes was found to be 19%. Furthermore, the drugs demonstrated a 14% reduction in the risk of cardiovascular death, non-fatal heart attacks, and non-fatal strokes, alongside a 13% lower overall mortality rate.
Professor Sunil Badve, lead author and professorial fellow at the George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney, emphasized the importance of these findings, noting that this is the first study to clearly demonstrate the kidney-protective benefits of GLP-1 receptor agonists. “These drugs appear to play a key role in both kidney and heart protection, particularly for individuals with common health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or chronic kidney disease (CKD).”
Chronic kidney disease affects approximately one in 10 people globally, and it is a major cause of premature death, often linked to heart disease. Prof. Vlado Perkovic, senior author on the study, highlighted the global burden of CKD and other non-communicable diseases, stating that this research could significantly impact treatment guidelines for both kidney and cardiovascular conditions.
As the study’s findings are incorporated into clinical practice, the researchers call for greater access to GLP-1 receptor agonists for those who may benefit from them, with the hope of improving global health outcomes in the coming years.
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