Researchers from the University of Hong Kong have made an important discovery in diabetes treatment, finding that the latest class of diabetes medication, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), could offer significant protection against renal and respiratory diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.
This new finding could position SGLT2i as a superior alternative to the older class of drugs, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i).
Type 2 diabetes, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance or deficiency, has traditionally been managed with various medications aimed at controlling blood sugar levels.
However, SGLT2i, a newer second-line medication, has not only proven effective in managing blood sugar but also in providing additional health benefits.
The study leveraged data from over 30,000 type 2 diabetes patients in Hong Kong to compare the effects of SGLT2i and DPP4i on kidney and lung health.
The results were telling; patients treated with SGLT2i exhibited significantly lower risks of developing severe kidney diseases such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This aligns with previous research which suggested that SGLT2i could offer kidney protective effects.
Moreover, the study highlighted a noteworthy reduction in the risk of respiratory diseases, including obstructive airway disease (OAD) and pneumonia, among patients using SGLT2i compared to those on DPP4i.
This suggests that SGLT2i might have beneficial effects beyond the kidneys, extending to lung health as well.
Given these promising outcomes, the researchers advocate for clinical trials to further investigate the respiratory benefits of SGLT2i.
These findings not only reinforce the drug’s potential in glycemic control but also suggest a broader scope of protection against complications commonly associated with diabetes.
This study marks a significant step forward in understanding how diabetes medications can do more than just manage blood sugar levels—they can also play a crucial role in preventing the serious complications of diabetes that affect the kidneys and lungs.
It provides compelling real-world evidence that supports the use of SGLT2i as a better alternative to DPP4i, offering hope for improved treatment strategies in type 2 diabetes management.
For patients and healthcare providers, these insights into the additional benefits of SGLT2i could influence treatment decisions and help in achieving a more comprehensive management approach to type 2 diabetes, emphasizing not only the control of blood sugar but also the prevention of further health complications.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that eating more eggs is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and how to eat to reduce heart disease death risk if you have diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about high-protein diets linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing Mediterranean diet could help reduce the diabetes risk by one-third.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
