Weight-loss jabs could be a powerful new weapon against chronic kidney disease, a study suggests.
Researchers investigate the drugs’ effects in more than 85,000 people who took part in 11 clinical trials.
Those receiving weight-loss jabs were 22% less likely to see their kidney function deteriorate and 16% less likely to suffer from kidney failure.
Almost 68,000 people in the studies had type 2 diabetes, but the effects were similar for those who did not.
Lead author Professor Sunil Badve, of The George Institute for Global Health and UNSW Sydney in Australia, said the analysis was the first to show the drugs could prevent kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease.
He added: “These results are particularly important for patients with chronic kidney disease. It is a progressive condition eventually leading to kidney failure requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation and is associated with premature death, mostly from heart disease.
“It has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life and incurs substantial healthcare costs.”
Known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the drugs work by suppressing mimicking hormones that regulate appetite.
Those used in the study included semaglutide – also known as Wegovy or Ozempic, dulaglutide and liraglutide.
The analysis also confirmed previous findings that the jabs could prevent heart problems, with treated patients 14% less likely to die from cardiovascular causes or suffer a non-fatal heart attack or stroke.
Kidney Care UK estimates that around 7.2 million people have chronic kidney disease in the UK, including 3.25m who are in the later stages.
Professor Vlado Perkovic, also from The George Institute, said: “This research shows that GLP-1 receptor agonists could play an important role in addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases.
“Our study will have a major impact on clinical guidelines for the management 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 to people who will benefit from them.”
