Tirzepatide Lowers albuminuria among Type 2 Diabetes Patients: Study
A post hoc analysis of trial data published in Diabetes Care found that adults with type 2 diabetes receiving tirzepatide experienced greater reductions in the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) compared to those on a placebo or other therapies. The effect was even more pronounced in patients with chronic kidney disease. This study was conducted by Ellen M. and fellow researchers.
This post hoc analysis used data from the combined SURPASS-1–5 trials, including baseline UACR ≥30 mg/g subgroups. A mixed model for repeated measures was used to compare on-treatment changes in UACR from baseline through to the last treatment visit. Study identifier was entered into the model as a covariate to account for variability between trials.
Key Findings
• Tirzepatide 5 mg, 10 mg, and 15 mg doses substantially decreased UACR compared with all combined comparators.
• 5 mg dose: -19.3% (95% CI -25.5, -12.5)
• 10 mg dose: -22.0% (95% CI -28.1, -15.3)
• 15 mg dose: -26.3% (95% CI -32.0, -20.0)
• Decrease in UACR was seen across all comparators, including placebo, active treatments, and insulin-based treatments.
• In patients with baseline UACR vastly above or equal to 30 mg/g, there was a notable improvement, suggesting significant benefit in chronic albuminuric patients.
• Mediation analysis indicated that weight loss caused by tirzepatide mediated about 50% of the reduction in albuminuria.
• The eGFR during the course of the study never varied more than 6.57 points between the comparator and the tirzepatide combination at week 40/42.
The study authors found that tirzepatide demonstrated reduction in UACR, validating its role in kidney protection in patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings are encouraging of the evaluation of tirzepatide in the treatment of diabetes, especially in those with pre-existing renal abnormality.
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