Combining glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors offers promising results for patients with type 2 diabetes. This combination therapy has shown substantial reductions in both cardiovascular and renal complications.
“We observed a 30% reduction in major cardiovascular events,” says the research team. “The renal benefits are equally noteworthy, with a 57% decrease in serious renal events.”
These two classes of medications are already known to offer significant benefits when used individually. GLP-1 receptor agonists primarily reduce blood glucose by stimulating insulin release. Meanwhile, SGLT-2 inhibitors help the kidneys remove glucose from the bloodstream. When used together, these drugs seem to offer enhanced protection.
Why the Combination Matters
The researchers examined a cohort of 6696 patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists and 8942 patients using SGLT-2 inhibitors. In these groups, patients were either prescribed one of the drugs or a combination of both. The findings showed a marked improvement in outcomes for those using the combination therapy.
“Compared to GLP-1 receptor agonists alone, the combination therapy decreased cardiovascular events from 10.3 to 7.0 per 1000 person-years,” explains the lead researcher. The team also noted that “serious renal events fell by more than half.”
Insights into Heart Health and Mortality
The combination therapy also made a noticeable difference in cardiovascular health. The study revealed that cardiovascular mortality dropped by 65% in patients receiving both medications. This significant finding emphasizes the potential life-saving benefits of dual therapy for high-risk individuals.
“Heart failure incidence dropped by 43%, and we saw similar results across all subgroups,” remarks one of the researchers.
Despite these promising outcomes, some secondary results, such as myocardial infarction or stroke, showed wider confidence intervals. The researchers suggest further investigation in these areas, but the overall message remains clear: this drug combination significantly improves patient outcomes.
Real-World Application of Findings
The use of these drugs together is not entirely new. Doctors often turn to this combination when single-drug therapy fails to control diabetes adequately. However, this study marks one of the first population-based analyses validating the combined effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors in reducing serious health risks.
As the study concludes, “This combination has the potential to transform the clinical management of type 2 diabetes by significantly reducing cardiovascular and renal events.”
Citation:
Simms-Williams N, Treves N, Yin H, et al. Effect of combination treatment with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on incidence of cardiovascular and serious renal events: population-based cohort study. BMJ. 2024;385. doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-078242.
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