A recent study from the University of Hong Kong suggests that a newer type of diabetes drug, called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), may help protect the kidneys and lungs in people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers found that this drug could lower the risk of serious conditions like end-stage kidney disease, chronic lung disease, and pneumonia.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how the body processes sugar. Many people with diabetes take medications to lower their blood sugar, but some drugs may have extra benefits beyond just controlling glucose levels.
SGLT2 inhibitors are a newer class of diabetes medications that not only help regulate blood sugar but may also protect the heart and kidneys.
Scientists have known for a few years that SGLT2 inhibitors can provide heart and kidney benefits.
However, it was unclear how they compare to an older group of diabetes drugs called dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i), which have been widely used for many years. To find out, researchers analyzed health data from more than 30,000 people with type 2 diabetes in Hong Kong.
The results were promising. Compared to patients taking DPP4 inhibitors, those taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a significantly lower risk of developing severe kidney disease. These findings match earlier research and provide real-world evidence that SGLT2 inhibitors could offer extra kidney protection.
In addition to kidney health, the study also looked at the effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on lung health. Researchers found that patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors had a lower risk of developing lung diseases, including chronic airway diseases and pneumonia.
This is a new discovery, and the researchers believe that clinical trials should be conducted to confirm these findings.
Overall, the study suggests that SGLT2 inhibitors could be a better option than DPP4 inhibitors for people with type 2 diabetes, especially those concerned about kidney and lung health. However, more research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects.
If you’re interested in protecting your kidneys, other studies have explored how certain drugs can prevent kidney failure in diabetes. Some research even suggests that drinking coffee might help reduce the risk of kidney damage.
Additionally, recent studies have looked into foods that may prevent kidney stones and how medications like Viagra could be useful for lung diseases.
This research, led by Dr. Cheung Ching-lung, was published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and JAMA Network Open.
It highlights the importance of choosing the right diabetes medication, not just for blood sugar control but also for overall health and disease prevention.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about a cure for type 2 diabetes, and these vegetables could protect against kidney damage in diabetes.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about bone drug that could lower risk of type 2 diabetes, and results showing eating more eggs linked to higher risk of type 2 diabetes.
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