Incretin-Based Therapy Shows Promising Results in Managing Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome

Strategic Insights -

A study published in the Journal of the Chinese Medical Association has demonstrated the effectiveness of incretin-based therapy in reducing the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause death, and other cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic complications. The research, conducted by investigators at Taipei Veterans General Hospital, found that GLP1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, significantly lower the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events by 14%, all-cause death by 18%, and major renal events by 24%.

Key Takeaways:

  • GLP1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide, have been shown to reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by 14% and all-cause death by 18% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • Semaglutide has been found to reduce major renal events by 24% in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • For obese patients without diabetes mellitus, semaglutide results in a 12.4% reduction in body weight and 20% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
  • The burden of heart failure can also be improved by 7.8 points in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.
  • GLP1 receptor agonists offer extra-pancreatic metabolic effects, including reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis and steatosis, increased muscular glucose uptake, and increased lipolysis and glucose uptake in the adipose tissue.
  • Seven different GLP1 receptor agonists have been licensed globally for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
  • The study highlights the transformative role of GLP1 receptor agonists in the management of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome.

Statistics:

  • 14% reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • 18% reduction in all-cause death among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • 24% reduction in major renal events among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
  • 12.4% reduction in body weight among obese patients without diabetes mellitus.
  • 20% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events among obese patients without diabetes mellitus.
  • 7.8-point improvement in the burden of heart failure among patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and obesity.

Sources:

  • Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, 2025;88(8):585-593.
  • Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Sq, 2001 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of the Chinese Medical Association - www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-the-chinese-medical-association/)
  • Chern-En Chiang, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, General Clinical Research Center, 201, Sect 2, Shi Pai Rd, Taipei 112, Taiwan.