Semaglutide May Delay Kidney Disease Progression Recent Trial Findings Reveal

●     Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn't react properly to insulin, the hormone that helps manage blood sugar levels.

●     People who have type 2 diabetes are more likely to get chronic kidney disease.

●     Semaglutide, known as Ozempic, is a medication that helps control blood sugar when used with a healthy diet and exercise.

●     Recent studies have found that semaglutide helps slow the worsening of kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is a problem for one out of every three adults with diabetes. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to this kidney issue if blood sugar isn't kept in check.

The problem is that high blood sugar can harm the blood vessels and nephrons, making them work poorly.

Since early kidney disease often doesn't show signs, it's super important for people with diabetes to keep an eye on their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Regular doctor visits are key, too.

Semaglutide, known as Ozempic, belongs to a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists. They act like a natural hormone that boosts insulin production, helps control hunger, and makes you feel full.

The authorities have given the thumbs up for Ozempic to be used along with diet and exercise for treating type 2 diabetes.

But that's not all – it might also help lower the risk of serious heart issues like heart attacks or strokes in people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Some research suggests it could also reduce inflammation in the body, which could be why it offers these extra health benefits.

There's growing evidence that this type of medicine can help dial down inflammation and protect the kidneys from damage, which could slow down the progression of kidney disease.

Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic, has shared exciting news from their latest study. They found that semaglutide could lower the chance of kidney disease getting worse by 24% in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

The full details of this study, the FLOW trial, will be shared at a science conference later in the year. The results have yet to be published in a scientific journal.

A leading researcher from the Steno Diabetes Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, who worked on the trial, discussed how big of a deal this is. With over 500 million people worldwide having diabetes and 30-40% of them also facing chronic kidney disease, finding ways to slow down kidney disease and lessen heart disease risk in these patients is critical.

Another expert, who wasn't part of the study, highlighted the importance of these findings. People with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease are at a higher risk of heart problems and kidney failure, so having treatments that can reduce these risks is important.

In the FLOW trial, 3,533 people with type 2 diabetes and chronic In the FLOW trial, researchers looked at 3,533 people from 28 different countries who had both type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. These participants were picked from 418 places around the world.

The study participants were either given semaglutide or a placebo to take. They took their medicine by taking a weekly shot under the skin, which looked the same whether it was semaglutide or placebo.

For those taking semaglutide, they started with a small dose and gradually increased it over time.

Besides this, everyone in the study was also given a type of medicine that helps with high blood pressure and can prevent heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, and kidney problems from getting worse, as long as it was safe and okay for them to take it.

The average age of the people in the study was about 67; most were men, and many were white. They all had been living with type 2 diabetes for around 17 years on average and also had chronic kidney disease.

The study was supposed to continue until 2024 but ended early because it already showed clear results. The main goal was to see if semaglutide could slow down kidney disease getting worse and prevent deaths from heart and kidney problems. The fact that it could do this by 24% is a big deal and could help patients.

Novo Nordisk announced that their study showed semaglutide could help by reducing the worsening of kidney disease and the risk of dying from heart or kidney problems by 24%, compared to a fake treatment.

However, a New Mexico State University public health expert who wasn't part of the study warned that these are still early findings. He mentioned that more tests are needed with different groups of people worldwide to see if the medicine works as well outside of the lab. This is because people live differently and might have other health issues, too.

Another expert agreed, pointing out that this is the first time a study focused specifically on kidney outcomes with this type of medicine in people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. The initial results look good, but everyone is waiting for the full details of the study to be shared to understand how effective and safe the treatment is.

Ozempic is known to help control blood sugar and might even lower the risk of worsening kidney problems. But, like all medications, it comes with possible side effects.

Common side effects that some people might experience include:

●     Feeling gassy or burping a lot

●     Nausea, throwing up, or diarrhoea

●     Stomach pain

●     Getting constipated

●     Feeling tired

●     Tasting things differently

There are also some serious side effects, but they don't happen often. These can include:

●     Very low blood sugar, especially if taken with other diabetes medicines.

●     Pancreatitis, which is when the pancreas gets inflamed.

●     Problems with the eyes, like damage from diabetes.

●     Kidney issues, which could get as bad as kidney failure

●     Issues with the gallbladder, including gallstones and inflammation.

●     There's also a warning about the risk of thyroid cancer.

A specialist in diabetes care from Texas Diabetes and Endocrinology, who wasn't part of this research, shared some positive thoughts about the study's results. They mentioned that this type of medicine could be a big help if the findings hold up. It could do more than manage blood sugar and weight—it might also tackle one of the serious problems caused by diabetes not being under control, which is chronic kidney disease. This is encouraging news for people with type 2 diabetes.

Other experts also believe this discovery could be a big leap forward in finding effective treatments for kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

One expert explained that the findings from the FLOW study could change how we take care of people with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Now, there is a treatment that can lower the risk of heart and kidney problems while still keeping blood sugar levels in check, even when kidney function isn't great.

Another expert agreed, pointing out that since these medicines have several benefits, help keep blood sugar under control, and are generally okay for people with kidney issues, they could transform how we treat people with type 2 diabetes who also have kidney problems. This is a common issue for many people living with type 2 diabetes.

If you need medical advice or a consultation, Mobi Doctor is here to assist you. Don't hesitate to reach out for the support you need.