A new study has uncovered unexpected benefits of anti-obesity drugs for kidney transplant recipients, particularly those with type 2 diabetes. Led by researchers at NYU Langone Health, the study indicates that patients who were treated with a new class of anti-obesity medications, specifically GLP-1 agonists, experienced a reduced risk of organ failure and longer survival rates.
The research, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, builds on previous findings regarding the potential benefits of these drugs for kidney transplant patients with a history of type 2 diabetes. While obesity is a known risk factor for diabetes and post-surgery complications like inflammation, organ rejection, and early death, the new study shows that GLP-1 agonists—such as semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide, marketed under brands like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda—can offer significant advantages.
The study examined the medical records of 18,016 kidney transplant recipients in the United States between 2013 and 2020. Of these, 1,916 patients were prescribed GLP-1 medications. The results were compelling: patients who took these drugs were 49% less likely to experience organ failure, where the transplanted kidney stops functioning and dialysis must be resumed. Additionally, the recipients on GLP-1 agonists had a 31% reduced risk of dying within five years of starting the medication.
Although these findings are promising, the study also highlighted some potential risks. Specifically, patients who took the GLP-1 medications had a 49% higher chance of developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition that can lead to blindness if blood sugar levels are not properly managed. However, the researchers found no significant increase in the risk of pancreas inflammation, liver issues, or thyroid cancer, which had previously been concerns regarding the use of GLP-1 agonists in transplant patients on immune-suppressing drugs.
Dr. Babak Orandi, MD, PhD, the lead investigator and a transplant surgeon at NYU Langone Health, stated, “Our study results provide the strongest evidence to date that GLP-1 agonist drugs are largely safe and effective tools for managing type 2 diabetes in kidney transplant recipients.”
Senior investigator Mara McAdams-DeMarco, PhD, emphasized the importance of monitoring eye health in patients taking GLP-1 drugs, noting the increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. “Our findings suggest that while the benefits of GLP-1 drugs are significant, their use comes with the added responsibility of closely monitoring diabetic eye health,” she said.
Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of end-stage kidney disease, contributing to nearly 250,000 Americans awaiting kidney transplants. This study offers new hope for improving the outcomes of these patients by providing a potential treatment option that addresses both diabetes management and transplant success.
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