Optimization of guideline-directed medical therapies in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney failure worldwide. CKD frequently coexists with heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the broader context of cardio-kidney-metabolic syndrome. Diabetes and CKD are associated with increased risk of all-cause and cardiovascular death as well as decreased quality of life. The role of metabolic and hemodynamic abnormalities has long been recognized as an important contributor to the pathogenesis and progression of CKD in diabetes, while a more recent and growing body of evidence supports activation of both systemic and local inflammation as important contributors. Current guidelines recommend therapies targeting pathomechanisms of CKD in addition to management of traditional risk factors such as hyperglycemia and hypertension. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors are recommended for treatment of patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes (T2D) if eGFR is ≥20 ml/min/173 m2 on a background of renin-angiotensin system inhibition. For patients with T2D, CKD, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist is recommended as additional risk-based therapy. A non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist is also recommended as additional risk-based therapy for persistent albuminuria in patients with T2D already treated with renin-angiotensin system inhibition. Implementation of guideline-directed medical therapies is challenging in the face of rapidly accumulating knowledge, high cost of medications, and lack of infrastructure for optimal healthcare delivery. Furthermore, studies of new therapies have focused on T2D and CKD. Clinical trials are now planned to inform the role of these therapies in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and CKD.