GLP-1 could reduce risk for chronic kidney disease and adverse cardiovascular outcomes

Does taking the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide for blood glucose control also lower the risk of clinically important kidney and cardiovascular outcomes? In the FLOW clinical trial, researchers found that of the 3,533 patients diagnosed with both T2D and chronic kidney disease, those taking semaglutide had a 24% lower risk of a primary-outcome event in the intervention group compared with the controls.

The primary endpoint—assessed over a median 3.4 years of follow-up—was major kidney disease events, a composite of the kidney failure onset, a 50% or greater loss in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline level, or death due to kidney-related or cardiovascular causes.

One-half of the enrollees were randomly assigned to the GLP-1, with the others assigned to a placebo. Findings also revealed that the risk of major cardiovascular events or any-cause mortality were 18% lower and 20% lower, respectively, with semaglutide. Patients receiving the weekly injection also saw a slower decrease in eGFR levels and also were less likely to experience serious adverse events.