Semaglutide can halt the decline in kidney health associated with obesity, scientists tell the 61st ERA Congress
Researchers presenting the results of the SELECT (Semaglutide Effects on Heart Disease and Stroke in Patients with Overweight or Obesity) trial told the 61st ERA Congress that diabetes and weight loss drug semaglutide can slow down the decline in kidney health associated with obesity.
The SELECT trial has a cohort of 17,604 participants who on an average, were followed up for three and half years. Professor Helen M. Colhoun, lead study author, who holds the AXA Research Fund endowed Chair in Medical Informatics and Epidemiology at the University of Edinburghcommented, “By addressing key markers of kidney health, semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly may contribute to a significant reduction in the risk of kidney-related complications, including chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. This could lead to improved management of comorbidities and, ultimately, enhance the quality of life for individuals with obesity.” The 61st ERA Congress is taking place between 23-26 May 2024, both virtually and live in Stockholm, Sweden
Results showed that 22% less people in the trial arm receiving the drug developed kidney problems compared to the placebo arm. The events based on which the progress of kidney decline was estimated included death from kidney causes, initiation of chronic kidney replacement therapy, significant (≥ 50%) decline in kidney function, or onset of persistent macroalbuminuria – the condition in which large quantities of the protein albumin is secreted in the urine.
The study also assessed the impact of semaglutide on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of kidney function in removing waste and excess water from the blood through urine. The findings indicated a significantly lesser decline in eGFR among semaglutide recipients compared to the placebo group