Popular diabetes and obesity drugs also protect kidneys, study shows

The biggest and most comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney and cardiovascular outcomes shows they have significant benefits in people with and without diabetes.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials involving a total of 85,373 people.

The results showed that compared to placebo they reduced the risk of kidney failure by 16% and the worsening of kidney function by 22% .

The combined reduction in kidney failure, worsening kidney function was 19% .

The Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol . 2015 . The Global Burden of Metabolic Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases Collaboration . Cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mortality burden of cardio-metabolic risk factors between 1980 and 2010 : comparative risk assessment. Between 1980-2010 mortality burden between cardiovascular disease, diabetes mortality.

JFEM reports grants from Novo Nordisk , the EU , and McMaster University ( Hamilton , Canada ), consulting fees from AstraZeneca , Bayer , and Boehringer Ingelheim .

AB declares no competing interests.

HMC reports serving on advisory panels for Novo . Nordisk and Bayer ; HMC receives research funding from Sanofi .