Researchers find a combination of diabetes drugs offers valuable extra health benefits
The research found the combination of diabetes medications reduced the risk of chronic kidney disease progression by 33 per cent, and slowed the annual loss of kidney function by almost 60 per cent. It also found that using the two drugs together reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events like a heart attack or stroke by 11 per cent, and hospitalisations for heart failure or cardiovascular death by 23 per cent. A/Prof Neuen, a nephrologist and Director of Kidney Trials at Royal North Shore Hospital, said it was important to look at the combined effect of the medications given the rapidly expanding use of drugs like Ozempic. “We know that these medications work well independently and now our findings support the use of a combined approach to further improve kidney and heart health for patients with diabetes,” said A/Prof Neuen, who is also a senior researcher at the Kolling Institute and The George Institute for Global Health. “Diabetes is a known risk factor for cardiovascular and kidney disease, with impaired glucose control causing damage to blood vessels in the heart and kidneys. “Many patients with diabetes live with cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease, with the prevalence increasing in the years following a diabetes diagnosis. “We anticipate our study will inform clinical guidelines for people with diabetes not just in Australia but globally as well.” The study was published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.
Clinical Associate Professor Brendon Neuen
A major study, led by Associate Professor Brendon Neuen, found combining Ozempic with another widely used diabetes drug improved heart and kidney health. The research, which was the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind, analysed 12 landmark clinical trials involving around 73,000 patients with a range of health conditions including heart failure, diabetes, and kidney disease. It found that combining one type of diabetes medication (SGLT2) with medications including Ozempic was not only safe, but also offered additional protection against heart and kidney disease in patients with diabetes.
19
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online