New research suggests that popular diabetes medications may help protect kidney health and lower death rates in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

A group of drugs commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes and to lose some extra pounds could offer an important benefit for people living with kidney disease, according to new research from UT Southwestern Medical Center.

These medications, called GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), include popular names like semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide. Researchers found out that patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD) who were treated with GLP-1 RAs had lower chances of being hospitalized, a reduced risk of their kidney disease getting worse, and a lower chance of dying from any cause. These results were compared to patients using another common type of diabetes medication called DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4is).

Dr. Shuyao Zhang, the study’s lead researcher and Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern, explained that while GLP-1 RAs are already well-known for helping to control blood sugar, this study gives new evidence that these drugs could also help protect kidney health in patients with more advanced kidney disease.

The study was published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. It analyzed the health data of over 64,000 patients receiving care from Veterans Health Administration hospitals. The researchers created “matched pairs” of patients—comparing people with similar health conditions, but one group was treated with GLP-1 RAs and the other with DPP-4is. This approach made the results more reliable.

Over nearly two years, the group using GLP-1 RAs had a 10% lower risk of hospitalization, a 16% lower risk of death from any cause, and a 36% lower risk of their kidney disease getting worse compared to those on DPP-4is.

Patients with diabetes-related kidney disease often face serious health issues, including a higher risk of infections, heart problems, and dangerously low blood sugar levels. Managing their condition is not easy, and hospital visits can be frequent and costly.

Dr. Ildiko Lingvay, one of the senior researchers on the study, noted that patients with both diabetes and kidney disease are often left out of clinical trials. As a result, they do not always get access to the latest treatments. This study shows that GLP-1 RAs could offer a safer, more effective option for these high-risk patients, potentially reducing complications and improving their overall quality of life.

While the findings are promising, the researchers stress that more studies are needed before any official changes are made to treatment guidelines. However, they hope this research will encourage doctors to consider GLP-1 RAs as part of a broader treatment plan for patients with diabetes and kidney disease.

Dr. Zhang and Dr. Lingvay believe their work could eventually lead to updated medical guidelines, helping more patients benefit from these drugs. For now, patients are advised to consult their doctors to understand the best treatment options for their individual health needs.

With further investigation, these medications could become an even more important tool in managing both diabetes and kidney disease.