Hemoglobin A1c Reduction With the GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Semaglutide Is Independent of Baseline eGFR: post hoc Analysis of the SUSTAIN and PIONEER Programs

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective treatments for reducing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D), including those with reduced kidney function. Methods: This post hoc analysis assessed the HbA1c-lowering efficacy of semaglutide, a GLP-1RA, in participants with a range of kidney functions in the SUSTAIN 4-6 and 10 (subcutaneous semaglutide) and PIONEER 5 and 6 (oral semaglutide) clinical trials. Trial-level changes from baseline to end of treatment (EOT) in HbA1c and body weight (BW) were assessed in participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) by subgroups categorized according to baseline eGFR. Adverse events were also evaluated. Results: The analysis included 8859 participants. The mean comparator-adjusted reduction in HbA1c from baseline to EOT with semaglutide ranged from 0.6% to 1.6% points across trials, with similar reductions across the eGFR subgroups (interaction P-value >= 0.33 for difference between eGFR subgroups within each trial). Greater weight loss from baseline to EOT with semaglutide versus comparator was observed across almost all baseline eGFR subgroups, with nominally greater weight loss with lower versus higher eGFR in SUSTAIN 6 and 10 and PIONEER 5 and 6 (interaction P < 0.05). No new safety concerns with semaglutide were identified. Conclusion: The HbA1c-lowering effect of semaglutide in participants with T2D was comparable irrespective of eGFR, which ranged upwards from eGFR >15 ml/min per 1.73 m(2).

Automated summary

This study analyzed the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), specifically semaglutide, in reducing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes across different levels of kidney function. The results showed that semaglutide effectively reduced HbA1c levels regardless of the baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and also resulted in significant weight loss.