Weight-loss drugs found to cut risk of kidney malfunction

Weight-loss drugs can reduce the risk of worsening kidney function, kidney failure and dying from kidney disease by a fifth, according to a study.

- Andrew Gregory

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are a family of medications that help people shed the pounds, manage blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes and prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease.

But while the benefits of the drugs for treating obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease are well known, their potential impact on kidney health has been less certain.

Now the largest and most comprehensive analysis of GLP-1 receptor agonists on kidney outcomes suggests they could have significant benefits. The findings were published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 11 large-scale clinical trials of weight-loss drugs involving more than 85,000 people. The group included people with type 2 diabetes, and people with cardiovascular disease who were overweight or obese but did not have type 2 diabetes.