People living with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of developing heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and end-stage kidney disease.
However, researchers at Monash University and other institutions have found a medication that helps reduce a person’s risk of developing heart and kidney disease and is a cost-effective option to treat people with type 2 diabetes.
The medication is called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), and it is well known for lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
In this study, the researchers analyzed the heart and kidney health benefits of SGLT2is, taking into account the economic costs for the government.
This is the first study to explore whether SGLT2is are cost-effective treatments when considering only their heart and kidney benefits.
The team found that SGLT2 is a cost-effective option to treat all people living with type 2 diabetes, regardless of whether or not they have challenges managing their blood sugar levels.
Clinical guidelines recognizing the benefits of SGLT2i in terms of preventing heart disease and kidney disease were updated in 2019.
In light of the study’s results around the medication’s cost-effectiveness, the team says the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme could potentially review and consider prescribing criteria for SGLT2is.
However, the government will also need to balance the cost and benefits of treatments relating to different health problems when making resource allocation decisions at the population level.
According to Diabetes Australia, almost 1.9 million people are currently living with diabetes, including an estimated 500,000 people with silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Kidney and heart disease are two of the most common diabetes-related complications.
The study’s results could be good news for people living with type 2 diabetes, as kidney and heart disease are two of the most common complications.
While managing blood sugar levels is important, preventing heart and kidney disease is also crucial in managing type 2 diabetes.
In conclusion, the study provides promising evidence that SGLT2is are a cost-effective option to treat people with type 2 diabetes and reduce their risk of developing heart and kidney disease.
This medication has already been shown to have many other health benefits in people with type 2 diabetes, and the study’s results suggest that it may be a valuable addition to current treatment options for people living with the condition.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects the body’s ability to use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels in the body.
In people with type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and organs in the body, including the kidneys. The kidneys play a crucial role in filtering waste products from the blood and regulating the body’s fluid balance.
High blood sugar levels can cause damage to the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste properly.
This damage can cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is a leading cause of kidney disease.
Diabetic nephropathy can progress slowly over time and eventually lead to end-stage kidney disease, where the kidneys are no longer able to function properly.
People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing kidney disease compared to those without the condition.
To prevent kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, it is crucial to manage blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, medication, and regular check-ups with a healthcare provider.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
If you care about kidney health, please read studies about how to protect your kidneys from diabetes, and drinking coffee could help reduce risk of kidney injury.
The study was conducted by Jedidiah Morton et al and published in Diabetologia.
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