- Reduced Risk Unveiled by Mass General Brigham Researchers
- Renal Benefits Examined in Nationwide Diabetes Patient Study
- Informing Clinical Decisions for At-Risk Diabetic Patients
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have unearthed a significant breakthrough in the realm of diabetes management. The focus of their study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, is the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, a class of medications for type 2 diabetes. This class not only addresses diabetes concerns but also showcases a remarkable impact on kidney stone development compared to other diabetes medications.
With kidney stone rates on the rise globally, the study by Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital delves into the renal benefits of SGLT2 inhibitors. Involving a comprehensive analysis of three nationwide databases, the research focused on 716,406 adults with type 2 diabetes. This expansive dataset revealed that patients initiating SGLT2 inhibitors experienced a noteworthy 30 percent lower risk of kidney stones compared to those opting for GLP1 receptor agonists, and a 25 percent lower risk than those choosing dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors.
The findings from this groundbreaking research carry substantial implications for clinical decision-making in diabetic patients susceptible to kidney stone development. Regardless of factors such as sex, race/ethnicity, history of chronic kidney disease, or obesity, the protective effect of SGLT2 inhibitors remained consistent. Dr. Julie Paik, the corresponding author, emphasizes the potential of SGLT2 inhibitors in guiding informed clinical decisions for patients with diabetes at risk of kidney stones. This discovery marks a promising avenue for enhancing the overall renal health of diabetic individuals.
