People with type 2 diabetes face a high risk of serious health issues such as heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, and severe kidney disease.
However, researchers at Monash University and other institutions have identified a medication that helps reduce these risks while being cost-effective.
The drug, called sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), is already known for lowering blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
In a recent study, researchers analyzed the benefits of SGLT2is for heart and kidney health and examined the economic implications for healthcare systems. This study is unique because it is the first to explore whether SGLT2is are cost-effective when considering only their heart and kidney benefits.
The findings showed that SGLT2is are a cost-effective treatment option for all people with type 2 diabetes, regardless of how well they manage their blood sugar levels. This is significant because it suggests that SGLT2is could be widely prescribed to help prevent heart and kidney disease in diabetics.
Clinical guidelines were updated in 2019 to recognize the benefits of SGLT2is in preventing heart and kidney disease.
Given the study’s results on cost-effectiveness, the researchers suggest that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme should review and consider the prescribing criteria for SGLT2is. However, the government must balance the cost and benefits of various treatments when making decisions about healthcare resources.
According to Diabetes Australia, nearly 1.9 million people are living with diabetes, including an estimated 500,000 with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Kidney and heart disease are among the most common complications related to diabetes. Therefore, the study’s findings could be significant for many people managing type 2 diabetes.
Managing blood sugar levels is crucial in diabetes care, but preventing heart and kidney disease is also vital. This new study provides evidence that SGLT2is can be a cost-effective way to reduce the risk of these complications, offering a valuable addition to current treatment options.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and organs, including the kidneys.
The kidneys filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid balance. High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to a condition called diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of kidney disease.
Diabetic nephropathy can progress slowly, eventually causing end-stage kidney disease, where the kidneys can no longer function properly.
To prevent kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes, it is essential to manage blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through lifestyle changes, medication, and regular check-ups with healthcare providers.
For those interested in further reading, studies suggest that pomace olive oil may help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar. Additionally, protecting kidney health from diabetes-related damage and drinking coffee might reduce the risk of kidney injury.
This study, conducted by Jedidiah Morton and colleagues, was published in Diabetologia and provides promising evidence for the broader use of SGLT2is in diabetes management.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes, and to people with diabetes, some fruits are better than others.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that low calorie diets may help reverse diabetes, and 5 vitamins that may prevent complication in diabetes.
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