New Engl J Med

Does semaglutide protect against kidney disease?

May 29, 2024

Semaglutide use lowered risks for adverse kidney outcomes and cardiovascular-related death in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease, in this RCT.

• Trial participants (N=3533) were nearly equally randomized to subcutaneous semaglutide 1 mg weekly or placebo. Patients had either GFR 50 to 75 mL/min/1.73 m2 with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >300 but <5000, or eGFR 25 to <50 mL/min/1.73 m2 with urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >100 but <5000. The trial was concluded early after an interim analysis, at 3.4 years’ median follow-up.
• Major kidney disease was the primary outcome, including kidney failure (dialysis, txp, or eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m2), 50% or great reduction in eGFR from baseline, kidney-related or cardiovascular-related death.
• The primary-outcome risk was 24% lower in patients on semaglutide vs. placebo. The risk of serious adverse events was lower in the semaglutide group (49.6%) vs. the placebo group (53.8%).

Source:

Perkovic V, et al. (2024, May 24). N Engl J Med. Effects of Semaglutide on Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38785209/