Recent findings from the SELECT Trial have sparked hope for improved kidney health among individuals with obesity and heart disease, but without diabetes.
Semaglutide, a medication typically used to treat conditions related to blood sugar levels, was the focus of this research.
Presented at a major medical congress, the study involved over 17,000 participants and lasted about 3.5 years.
It found that those treated with semaglutide experienced significantly fewer kidney problems compared to those who received a placebo. Specifically, adverse kidney events were reduced by 22% among those taking the drug.
Obesity increases the risk of kidney issues, including the presence of too much protein in the urine, a condition known as macroalbuminuria.
Semaglutide’s ability to prevent this was a key discovery, suggesting it could help avert further kidney damage.
The study measured kidney function using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), which shows how well the kidneys filter waste from the blood.
Results showed a less significant decline in kidney function among those who received semaglutide, especially in participants with already reduced kidney function.
Another important measure, the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), also showed improvement. This ratio helps detect kidney damage by measuring protein levels in urine. Semaglutide users saw a reduction in this ratio, indicating healthier kidney function.
Importantly, the research found no increased risk of acute kidney injury from semaglutide, even in those with existing kidney issues.
Obesity is a growing global problem. Since 1990, obesity rates have doubled in women and nearly tripled in men. Today, over one billion people worldwide are affected, including nearly 160 million children.
Professor Helen M. Colhoun, who led the study, emphasized the significant potential of semaglutide in reducing kidney complications related to obesity.
She noted that the medication could be a vital tool in managing kidney health and improving quality of life for those affected by obesity and associated cardiovascular conditions.
These findings not only offer new insights into treating kidney health issues in people with obesity but also underline the importance of further research into semaglutide’s benefits for kidney function.
This could mean a major shift in how doctors manage kidney and heart health in obese patients without diabetes.
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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