Semaglutide Lowers Risk of Kidney Disease Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, CKD
Real-world effectiveness data showed semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney disease events by 26%.
Semaglutide was associated with a significantly lower risk of major kidney disease events in patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to real-world effectiveness data published in the journal Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy.1 Authors of the study said the findings highlight the promise of semaglutide as an effective option for managing renal complications.
Semaglutide Shows Lower Risk of Kidney Disease Events in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, CKD / Edugrafo - stock.adobe.com
CKD impacts an estimated 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes and significantly impacts disease outcomes. CKD is more common in certain groups, such as older adults, those with early-onset diabetes, those with obesity, specific ethnic populations, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD in both developed and most developing countries, with around 20% of patients with type 2 diabetes developing diabetic nephropathy within 20 years of diagnosis.2
“Patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease confront substantial health risks, particularly kidney failure, cardiovascular events, and premature death,” the authors wrote.1 “Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of semaglutide in mitigating these risks, showing promise in slowing kidney disease progression and reducing cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. However, the real-world effectiveness and long-term outcomes related to the treatment are not fully established.”
READ MORE: Pharmacist Involvement Helps Reduce Time to A1c Target
A team of investigators from Bogazici University and City University of New York conducted a study to determine semaglutide’s real-world effectiveness and long-term outcomes. The study used an external control arm from the FLOW clinical trial (NCT03819153). FLOW was a phase 3 trial that assessed semaglutide’s effect on the progression of renal impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD.
The study cohort included 896257 patients in the control group who received semaglutide and 1766 patients from the clinical trial group who did not receive the therapy. The primary study outcome was a composite of kidney failure onset and a sustained 50% reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Age, sex, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, anemia, and depression were controlled for.
The study found the risk of major kidney disease events in the group that received semaglutide was 26% lower compared to the group who did not receive it. The reduction in events, which included kidney failure and substantial loss of kidney function, was consistent with the 24% reduction seen in the FLOW trial.
“These results provide compelling real-world evidence for the use of semaglutide in reducing the risk of kidney failure and progression in patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD,” Onur Baser, PhD, lead author on the study, said in a release.3 “The findings support broader adoption of semaglutide as a renoprotective therapy and may inform clinical guidelines, payer coverage decisions, and health policy.”
READ MORE: Diabetes Resource Center
Ready to impress your pharmacy colleagues with the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips? Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter.
