Ozempic associated with lower death rates in people with diabetes and kidney disease

June 3, 2024

Source: Perkovic, et al NEJM May 24, 2024 LINK

The New England Journal of Medicine published the results of the FLOW study of Ozempic (semaglutide) for diabetics with early kidney disease. This study was stopped last fall because an interim analysis showed that those treated with the medication had fewer adverse outcomes than those treated with a placebo. The study included a diverse group of over 3,500 and was conducted in 28 countries. Patients were followed for an average of 3.4 years.

Those who were treated with semaglutide had less progression of kidney disease, 24% fewer first major kidney events, 29% fewer first cardiovascular events, 18% fewer deaths from cardiovascular disease and 20% fewer all cause deaths. Manufacturer Novo has announced that it will seek FDA approval specifically for treatment of diabetics with kidney disease.

Implications for employers:

-        Most employers currently cover GLP-1 medications for diabetes; this study adds to data already available demonstrating that GLP-1 medications help decrease medical complications for patients with diabetes.

-        Some providers might be reluctant to “deprescribe” these medications for patients with diabetes who lose weight and attain good diabetes control to the extent that these medications might themselves protect from kidney deterioration and death.

Tomorrow: Overdose deaths decline but remain high

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