Study: Bariatric surgery outperforms GLP-1s in slowing CKD progression in patients with diabetes, obesity

Editor's Note

Bariatric surgery significantly reduces the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity compared to those on GLP-1 diabetes medications, according to a study from Cleveland Clinic.

Published in Annals of Surgery and detailed in a September 20 announcement from Cleveland Clinic, the study followed 425 adults aged 18-75, 183 of whom underwent bariatric surgery and 242 of whom received GLP-1 medications, such as liraglutide and exenatide, over an 8-year period. Key findings include:

• bariatric surgery lowered the risk of CKD progression by 60%.
• bariatric surgery reduced the risk of kidney failure or death by 44%.
• The surgical group experienced better diabetes control and required fewer medications for related conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
• 22% of surgical patients experienced CKD progression, compared to 45% in the non-surgical group.
• 24% of the surgical group developed kidney failure or died, versus 44% in the non-surgical group.

According to researchers, these results highlight bariatric surgery’s kidney-protective benefits and suggest it should be considered more as a treatment option for CKD and obesity. They also note the need for further research to explore the combination of surgery and evolving GLP-1 medications.